Polynucleotides for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Escherichia coli O157:NM verotoxin producers

ABSTRACT

Polynucleotide primers and probes for the specific detection of  E. coli  0157:H7 and/or  E. coli  0157:NM which produces verotoxin in samples are provided. The primers and probes can be used in real time diagnostic assays for rapid detection of  E. coli  0157:H7 and/or  E. coli  0157:NM which produces verotoxin. The primers and probes can be used in real-time diagnostic assays for rapid detection of  E. coli  0157:H7 and/or  E. coli  0157:NM which produces verotoxin in a variety of situations and are capable of distinguishing  E. coli  0157:H7 and/or  E. coli  0157:NM which produces verotoxin from other  E. coli  strains. Kits comprising the primers and probes are also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of detection of microbial contaminants and, in particular, the invention relates to the detection of contamination by Escherichia coli O157:H7 and/or Escherichia coli O157:NM which produce verotoxin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) is one of hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli. The combination of letters and numbers in the name of the bacterium refers to the specific markers found on its surface and distinguishes it from other types of E. coli. An estimated 73,000 cases of infection and 61 deaths occur in the United States each year. It accounts for about 2% of all cases of diarrhea in the western world, and at least one-third of all cases of hemorrhagic colitis. This bacterium is commonly associated with foods such as ground beef, unpasteurized milk and juice, sprouts, lettuce, salami, and game meat, and contact with cattle. Waterborne transmission occurs through swimming in contaminated lakes, pools, or drinking inadequately chlorinated water. The organism is easily transmitted from person to person and has been difficult to control in child day-care centers. E. coli O157:H7 produces large quantities of one or more related Shiga toxins that cause severe illness and damage in humans. The illness is characterized by severe cramping (abdominal pain) and diarrhea which is initially watery but becomes grossly bloody. Occasionally vomiting occurs. In severe cases, a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), in which the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail, may develop. (Doyle, P M et al. Food Microbiology, Fundamentals and Frontiers, ASM press, 1997, chapter 10, pp. 171 to 191).

E. coli O157 which are non-motile are designated E. coli O157:H-or O157:NM. E. coli O157:H- or O157:NM are missing the H antigen which is the flagellar or motility antigen. They usually produce verotoxin and cause a similar pattern of disease as E. coli O157:H7.

In order to prevent the occurrence of infections by E. coli O157:H7 and other toxin producing variants such as verotoxin producing E. coli O157:NM, methods of detection can be employed that identify the presence of the bacteria in food, prior to consumer availability and consumption. Many detection techniques, however, require long time periods and, therefore are not time and cost effective due to relatively quick rates of food spoilage. For example, a number of detection technologies require the culturing of bacterial samples for time periods of up to eight days. During that time, however, the product being tested must be placed in circulation for purchase and consumption. Therefore, a system that can rapidly identify the presence of E. coli O157:H7 and other toxin producing variants such as verotoxin producing E. coli O157:NM in food and other test samples is desirable.

A variety of methods are described in the prior art for the detection of bacterial contaminants. One of these methods is the amplification of specific nucleotide sequences using specific primers in a PCR assay. Upon completion of the amplification of a target sequence, the presence of an amplicon is detected using agarose gel electrophoresis. This method of detection, while being more rapid than traditional methods requiring culturing bacterial samples, is still relatively time consuming and subject to post-PCR contamination during the running of the agarose gel.

An additional technology utilized for detection of bacterial contamination, is nucleic acid hybridization. In such detection methodologies, the target sequence of interest is typically amplified and then hybridized to an oligonucleotide probe which possesses a complementary nucleic acid sequence to that of the target molecule. The probe can be modified so that detection of the hybridization product may occur, for example, the probe can be labelled with a radioisotope or fluorescent moiety.

The general use of E. coli nucleic acid sequences for the detection of this bacterium has been described. Many of the described detection methods are specific for certain strains of E. coli, such as O157. Others detect multiple strains of E. coli. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,417 describes DNA fragments useful for detecting E. coli strains and U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,723 describes genomic sequences, which can be used as diagnostic probes. These sequences are present in E. coli but absent from E. coli K 12. More general methods are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,693,469 and 6,551,776, which describe hybridization assay probes complementary to E. coli rRNA sequences. In addition to hybridizing to E. coli sequences, these probes hybridize to other genus members and Shigella species.

In addition, a number of PCR based methods of detecting E. coli have been described. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,143 describes a PCR-based 5′ nuclease assay for presumptively detecting E. coli O157:H7 DNA. International application WO03/062464A3 describes a kit that has the potential for use directly on foods and environmental samples. The kit comprises three multiplex PCR assays that can detect in E. coli the presence of eight virulence genes: eaeA, EHEC-HlyA, Stx1 (VT1), Stx2 (VT2), Stx2c (VT2c), Stx2d (VT2d), Stx2e (VT2e) and Stx2f (VT2f). While, Desmarchelier et al. (J. Clin. Microbiol. (1998) 36:1801-1804) describe a PCR-based method for detecting E. coli 0157 that involves amplification of a region of the O-antigen synthesis genes followed by gel electrophoresis and Southern blot analysis to confirm the identify of the amplified fragment. The method was capable of identifying two serotypes of E. coli O157; the O157:H7 and 0157:H-serotypes. Another PCR-based protocol based on the amplification of the rfjB region of the O-antigen synthesis genes is described by Maurer et al. (Appl. Environ. Microbiol. (1999) 65:2954-2960).

A useful modification of the above technology provides for the concurrent amplification and detection of the target sequence (i.e. in “real time”) through the use of specially adapted oligonucleotide probes. Examples of such probes include molecular beacon probes (Tyagi et al., (1996) Nature Biotechnol. 14:303-308), TaqMan® probes (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,691,146 and 5,876,930) and Scorpion probes (Whitcombe et al., (1999) Nature Biotechnol. 17:804-807). The use of TaqMan® probes to detect Escherichia coli in water samples is described by Frahm and Obst in J. Microbiol. Methods (2003) 52:123-131. U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,080 discloses the detection of pathogenic E. coli strains using a Taqman (TM)-PCR based approach comprising the use of primers and fluorogenic probes specific for the genes encoding characteristic virulence factors or toxins.

Molecular beacons represent a powerful tool for the rapid detection of specific nucleotide sequences and are capable of detecting the presence of a complementary nucleotide sequence even in homogenous solutions. Molecular beacons can be described as hairpin stem-and-loop oligonucleotide sequences, in which the loop portion of the molecule represents a probe sequence, which is complementary to a predetermined sequence in a target nucleotide sequence. One arm of the beacon sequence is attached to a fluorescent moiety, while the other arm of the beacon is attached to a non-fluorescent quencher. The stem portion of the stem-and-loop sequence holds the two arms of the beacon in close proximity. Under these circumstances, the fluorescent moiety is quenched. When the beacon encounters a nucleic acid sequence complementary to its probe sequence, the probe hybridizes to the nucleic acid sequence, forming a stable complex and, as a result, the arms of the probe are separated and the fluorophore emits light. Thus, the emission of light is indicative of the presence of the specific nucleic acid sequence. Individual molecular beacons are highly specific for the nucleic acid sequences they are complementary to.

A molecular beacon probe designed to detect the E. coli O157:H7 serotype has been described (Fortin et al., (2001) Analytical Biochem. 289:281-288). The probe was designed to hybridise to an amplified target sequence from the rJbE O-antigen synthesis gene of E. coli O157:H7 that is either 496 base pair (bp) or 146 bp in length, depending on the primers used. The probe was also able to detect E. coli O157:NM and 0157:H-serotypes, but was not intended to detect other strains of E. coli.

The gnd gene from several bacteria, including many E. coli strains and serotypes, Shigella flexneri, Citrobacter freundii, Citrobacter koseri, Salmonella enterica and Salmonella thyphimurium has been characterized. The gnd gene codes for a decarboxylating gluconate-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) and is a part of the pentose phosphate pathway where it oxidises 6-Phosphogluconate into Ribulose-5-phosphate which is used for the synthesis of nucleic acids. In E. coli the gnd gene is locate in close proximity (200-2000 bp) to the rjb cluster that codes for the O antigen that is used for serotyping Escherichia coli. This advances the concept that new alleles of gnd, created either by point mutation or intragenic recombination, “hitchhike” to high frequency by diversifying selection favoring antigen variation at the adjacent rib locus. In addition, local recombination events involving the rjb region and extending though the gnd locus could result in specific combinations of gnd alleles and rjb genes being cotransferred in nature. The gnd allelle A that was targeted has been found only in E. coli 0157 from the DEC5 lineage [Tarr P I, Schoening L M et al., (2000) Journal of Bacteriology 182(21):6183-9191; Nelson K, Selander R K (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 91:10227-10231].

International Patent Application WO/034484 and U.S. Patent Application 20020150902 disclose the gnd gene sequence of fourteen strains of E. coli (11 of which were E. coli O157:H7) and polymorphisms therein. These applications further disclose that these polymorphisms can be used to identify the presence of a particular strain of E. coli and/or differentiate one strain of E. coli from another, but do not provide a rational approach for the actual detection of specific strains and at the desired level of specificity.

This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide polynucleotides for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Escherichia coli O157:NM verotoxin producers. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a combination of polynucleotides for amplification and detection of nucleic acid sequences from E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin, said combination selected from the group of:

-   -   (a) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer         comprising at least consecutive 7 nucleotides of a sequence         complementary to SEQ ID NOs:1 and a polynucleotide probe         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the complement thereof;     -   (b) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence         complementary to SEQ ID NO:1 and a polynucleotide probe         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, or the complement thereof; and     -   (c) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence         complementary to SEQ ID NO:1 and a polynucleotide probe         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of detecting E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin in a sample, said method comprising the steps of:

-   (i) contacting a sample suspected of containing, or known to     contain, E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces     verotoxin with a combination of polynucleotide primers capable of     amplifying a E. coli target sequence within the gnd gene, under     conditions that permit amplification of the target nucleotide     sequence, said polynucleotide primers comprising:     -   (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7         consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID         NO:1     -   (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7         consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID         NO:1; and -   (ii) detecting amplified target nucleotide sequence,     wherein detection of amplified target nucleotide sequence indicates     the presence of E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which     produces verotoxin in the sample.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 and/or verotoxin producing E. coli O157:NM in a sample, said kit comprising a combination of polynucleotides selected from the group of:

-   (a) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer     comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set     forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer comprising at     least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ     ID NO:1 and a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the     complement thereof; -   (b) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer     comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set     forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer comprising at     least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ     ID NO:1 and a first polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7     consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID     NO:29, or the complement thereof; and -   (c) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer     comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set     forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer comprising at     least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ     ID NO:1 and a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the     complement thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of polynucleotide primers for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene from E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin, said portion being less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, said pair of polynucleotide primers comprising:

-   (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; and -   (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:1.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of polynucleotide primers for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin, said portion being less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 160 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, said pair of polynucleotide primers comprising:

-   (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; and -   (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:1.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of polynucleotide primers for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin, said portion being less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, said pair of polynucleotide primers comprising:

-   (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; and -   (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:1.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an isolated polynucleotide consisting essentially of:

-   (a) the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19, 29 or     43, or a fragment of said sequence; or -   (b) a sequence that is the complement of (a).

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a primer comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2-11 or the complement thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an isolated polynucleotide having a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36 39, 40, 41, 42, or 43, or the complement thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provide a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36 39, 40, 41, 42, or 43, or the complement thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provide a combination of polynucleotides for amplification and detection of nucleic acid sequences from E. coli O157:H7, said combination selected from the group of:

-   -   (a) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer         comprising at least consecutive 7 nucleotides of a sequence         complementary to SEQ ID NOs:1 and a polynucleotide probe         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the complement thereof;     -   (b) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence         complementary to SEQ ID NO:1 and a polynucleotide probe         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, or the complement thereof; and     -   (c) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence         complementary to SEQ ID NO:1 and a polynucleotide probe         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination of polynucleotides for amplification and detection of nucleic acid sequences from E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin, said combination selected from the group of:

-   -   (a) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer         comprising at least consecutive 7 nucleotides of a sequence         complementary to SEQ ID NOs:1 and a polynucleotide probe         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the complement thereof;     -   (b) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence         complementary to SEQ ID NO:1 and a polynucleotide probe         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, or the complement thereof; and     -   (c) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence         complementary to SEQ ID NO:1 and a polynucleotide probe         comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as         set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provide a method of detecting E. coli O157:H7 in a sample, said method comprising the steps of:

-   (i) contacting a sample suspected of containing, or known to     contain, E. coli O157:H7 with a combination of polynucleotide     primers capable of amplifying a E. coli target sequence within the     gnd gene, under conditions that permit amplification of the target     nucleotide sequence, said polynucleotide primers comprising:     -   (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7         consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID         NO:1     -   (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7         consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID         NO:1; and -   (ii) detecting amplified target nucleotide sequence,     wherein detection of amplified target nucleotide sequence indicates     the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in the sample.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of detecting E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin in a sample, said method comprising the steps of:

-   (i) contacting a sample suspected of containing, or known to contain     verotoxin producing E. coli O157:NM with a combination of     polynucleotide primers capable of amplifying a E. coli target     sequence within the gnd gene, under conditions that permit     amplification of the target nucleotide sequence, said polynucleotide     primers comprising:     -   (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7         consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID         NO:1     -   (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7         consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID         NO:1; and -   (ii) detecting amplified target nucleotide sequence,     wherein detection of amplified target nucleotide sequence indicates     the presence of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin in the     sample.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 in a sample, said kit comprising a combination of polynucleotides selected from the group of:

-   (a) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer     comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set     forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer comprising at     least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ     ID NO:1 and a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the     complement thereof; -   (b) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer     comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set     forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer comprising at     least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ     ID NO:1 and a first polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7     consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID     NO:29, or the complement thereof; and -   (c) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer     comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set     forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer comprising at     least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ     ID NO:1 and a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the     complement thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for the detection of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin in a sample, said kit comprising a combination of polynucleotides selected from the group of:

-   (a) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer     comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set     forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer comprising at     least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ     ID NO:1 and a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the     complement thereof; -   (b) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer     comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set     forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer comprising at     least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ     ID NO:1 and a first polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7     consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID     NO:29, or the complement thereof; and -   (c) a combination comprising a first polynucleotide primer     comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set     forth in SEQ ID NO:1; a second polynucleotide primer comprising at     least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ     ID NO:1 and a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the     complement thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of polynucleotide primers for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene from E. coli O157:H7, said portion being less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, said pair of polynucleotide primers comprising:

-   (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; and -   (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:1.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of polynucleotide primers for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene from E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin, said portion being less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, said pair of polynucleotide primers comprising:

-   (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; and -   (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:1.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of polynucleotide primers for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene from E. coli O157:H7, said portion being less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 160 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, said pair of polynucleotide primers comprising:

-   (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; and -   (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:1.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of polynucleotide primers for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene from E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin, said portion being less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 160 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, said pair of polynucleotide primers comprising:

-   (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; and -   (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:1.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of polynucleotide primers for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene from E. coli 01577:H7, said portion being less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, said pair of polynucleotide primers comprising:

-   (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; and -   (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:1.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of polynucleotide primers for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene from E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin, said portion being less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, said pair of polynucleotide primers comprising:

-   (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1; and -   (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive     nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 presents a multiple sequence alignment showing conserved regions of a portion of the gnd gene from E. coli O157:H7 strains [SEQ ID NOs:2-11] and from various E. coli strains not O157:H7 [SEQ ID NOs:12-18] The sequences depicted represent the coding strand of the gene. Shaded blocks highlight the following regions: bases 365 to 378: forward primer #1 [SEQ ID NO:21]; bases 397 to 417: binding site for molecular beacon #1 [SEQ ID NO:24]; bases 426 to 439: reverse primer # 1 [SEQ ID NO:22];

FIG. 2 presents the arrangement of PCR primers and a molecular beacon probe on a gnd conserved sequence # 1 (section 366-449 of the FIG. 1 alignment) in one embodiment of the invention. Numbers in parentheses indicate the positions of the first and last nucleotides of each feature on the PCR product generated with primers SEQ ID NOs:21 & 22;

FIG. 3 presents the secondary structure of the molecular beacon probe #1 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention [SEQ ID NO:23];

FIG. 4 presents a multiple sequence alignment showing conserved regions of a portion of the gnd gene from E. coli O157:H7 strains [SEQ ID NOs:2-11] and from various E. coli strains not O157:H7 [SEQ ID NOs:12-18] The sequences depicted represent the coding strand of the gene. Shaded blocks highlight the following regions: bases 171 to 184: forward primer #3 [SEQ ID NO:31]; bases 206 to 233: binding site for molecular beacon #2 [SEQ ID NO:34]; bases 365 to 378: reverse primer # 3 [SEQ ID NO:32]

FIG. 5 presents the arrangement of PCR primers and a molecular beacon probe on a gnd conserved sequence #2 in one embodiment of the invention. Numbers in parentheses indicate the positions of the first and last nucleotides of each feature on the PCR product generated with primers SEQ ID NOs:31 & 32

FIG. 6 presents the secondary structure of the molecular beacon probe #2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention [SEQ ID NO:33];

FIG. 7 presents the sequence of (A) a E. coli O157:H7 gnd gene [SEQ ID NO: 1]; (B) a conserved region (conserved sequence #1) of the E. coli O157:H7 gnd gene, which is unique to E. coli O157:H7 isolates [SEQ ID NO:19], and (C) a 21 nucleotide sequence found within conserved sequence #1, which is exclusive to E. coli O157:H7 isolates [SEQ ID NO:20].

FIG. 8 presents the sequence of (A) a E. coli O157:H7 gnd gene [SEQ ID NO:1]; (B) a conserved region (conserved sequence #2) of the E. coli O157:H7 gnd gene, which is unique to E. coli O157:H7 isolates [SEQ ID NO:29], and (C) a 28 nucleotide sequence found within conserved sequence #2, which is exclusive to E. coli O157:H7 isolates [SEQ ID NO:30].

FIG. 9 presents the sequence of (A) a E. coli O157:H7 gnd gene [SEQ ID NO:1]; (B) a consensus sequence of the E. coli O157:H7 gnd gene, [SEQ ID NO:43.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the identification of a highly conserved region (consensus sequence) within the E. coli O157:H7 genome that is common to known isolates of E. coli O157:H7 and is also present in verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM, but absent from other bacteria including other E. coli serotypes and other species. The consensus sequence and conserved sequences therein constitute suitable target sequences for the design of primers and probes capable of specifically amplifying and detecting nucleic acids sequences from one or more E. coli O157:H7 isolates and/or verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM in a test sample.

The present invention thus provides for primer and probe sequences capable of amplifying and/or detecting all or part of an E. coli O157:H7 consensus sequence that are suitable for use in detecting the presence of various E. coli O157:H7 isolates and/or verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM in a sample, such as a clinical sample, microbiological culture, or a sample related to food, environmental or pharmaceutical quality control processes. The present invention contemplates methods of detecting E. coli O157:H7 isolates and/or verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM in a sample using primers and/or probes targeting a consensus sequence, as well as methods using primers and/or probes that target one or more conserved regions within the consensus sequence. In one embodiment, the invention provides diagnostic assays that can be carried out in real time and addresses the need for rapid detection of E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produce verotoxinin a variety of biological samples.

In one embodiment, the primers and probes sequences provided by the present invention are capable of distinguishing E. coli O157:H7 target sequences distinguishable from other E. coli sequences, i.e. specifically amplify and/or detect E. coli O157:H7 sequences but not E. coli sequences that are not O157:H7. In another embodiment, the primers and probe sequences are capable of distinguishing target sequences distinguishable from E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM from other E. coli sequences, i.e. specifically amplify and/or detect E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM sequences but not other E. coli sequences. In a further embodiment, the primers and probe sequences are capable of distinguishing target sequences distinguishable from verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM from other E. coli sequences, i.e. specifically amplify and/or detect verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM sequences but not other E. coli sequences.

In addition, the primers and probes of the invention demonstrate a specificity for E. coli O157:H7 and/or verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM nucleic acid sequences of at least 90%, as defined herein. In one embodiment, the primers and probes of the invention demonstrate a specificity for E. coli O157:H7 and/or verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM nucleic acid sequences of at least 95%. In another embodiment, the primers and probes of the invention demonstrate a specificity for E. coli O157:H7 and/or verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM nucleic acid sequences of at least 97%. In further embodiments, the primers and probes demonstrate a specificity for E. coli O157:H7 and/or verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM nucleic acid sequences of at least 98%, at least 99% and at least 99.5%.

In another embodiment, the primers and probes of the invention demonstrate a specificity for E. coli O157:H7 nucleic acid sequences of at least 90%, as defined herein. In a further embodiment, the primers and probes of the invention demonstrate a specificity for E. coli O157:H7 nucleic acid sequences of at least 95%. In yet a further embodiment, the primers and probes of the invention demonstrate a specificity for E. coli O157:H7 nucleic acid sequences of at least 97%. In still further embodiments, the primers and probes demonstrate a specificity for E. coli O157:H7 nucleic acid sequences of at least 98%, at least 99% and at least 99.5%.

In accordance with the present invention, the primers and probes demonstrate a sensitivity in detecting isolates of E. coli O157:H7 and/or verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM of at least 90%. In another embodiment, the primers and probes demonstrate a sensitivity of at least 91%. In a further embodiment, the primers and probes demonstrate a sensitivity of at least 92%. In a further embodiment of the invention, the primers and probes demonstrate a sensitivity of at least 95%. In another embodiment, the primers and probes of the invention demonstrate a sensitivity for in detecting isolates of E. coli O157:H7 and/or verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM of at least 97%. In another embodiment, the primers and probes of the invention demonstrate a sensitivity for isolates of E. coli O157:H7 and/or verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM of at least 98%. In further embodiments, the primers and probes of the invention demonstrate a sensitivity for isolates of E. coli O157:H7 and/or verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM of at least 99%, and at least 99.5%.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the primers and probes demonstrate a sensitivity in detecting E. coli O157:H7 isolates of at least 90%. In a further embodiment, the primers and probes demonstrate a sensitivity of at least 91%. In yet a further embodiment, the primers and probes demonstrate a sensitivity of at least 92%. In a still further embodiment of the invention, the primers and probes demonstrate a sensitivity of at least 95%. In another embodiment, the primers and probes of the invention demonstrate a sensitivity for E. coli O157:H7 isolates of at least 97%. In a further embodiment, the primers and probes of the invention demonstrate a sensitivity for E. coli O157:H7 isolates of at least 98%. In still further embodiments, the primers and probes of the invention demonstrate a sensitivity for E. coli O157:H7 isolates of at least 99%, and at least 99.5%.

In contrast to primers and probes described previously, which are often specific for a certain strain of E. coli O157:H7, the sensitivity of the primers and probes of the invention make them suitable for detecting a wide variety of E. coli O157:H7 strains and/or E. coli O157:NM which produce verotoxin, and are thus broadly applicable.

Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

The terms “oligonucleotide” and “polynucleotide” as used interchangeably in the present application refer to a polymer of greater than one nucleotide in length of ribonucleic acid (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), hybrid RNA/DNA, modified RNA or DNA, or RNA or DNA mimetics. The polynucleotides may be single- or double-stranded. The terms include polynucleotides composed of naturally-occurring nucleobases, sugars and covalent internucleoside (backbone) linkages as well as polynucleotides having non-naturally-occurring portions which function similarly. Such modified or substituted polynucleotides are well-known in the art and for the purposes of the present invention, are referred to as “analogues.”

The terms “primer” and “polynucleotide primer,” as used herein, refer to a short, single-stranded polynucleotide capable of hybridizing to a complementary sequence in a nucleic acid sample. A primer serves as an initiation point for template-dependent nucleic acid synthesis. Nucleotides are added to a primer by a nucleic acid polymerase in accordance with the sequence of the template nucleic acid strand. A “primer pair” or “primer set” refers to a set of primers including a 5′ upstream primer that hybridizes with the 5′ end of the sequence to be amplified and a 3′ downstream primer that hybridizes with the complementary 3′ end of the sequence to be amplified. The term “forward primer” as used herein, refers to a primer which anneals to the 5′ end of the sequence to be amplified. The term “reverse primer”, as used herein, refers to a primer which anneals to the complementary 3′ end of the sequence to be amplified.

The terms “probe” and “polynucleotide probe,” as used herein, refer to a polynucleotide used for detecting the presence of a specific nucleotide sequence in a sample. Probes specifically hybridize to a target nucleotide sequence, or the complementary sequence thereof, and can be single- or double-stranded.

The term “specifically hybridize,” as used herein, refers to the ability of a polynucleotide to bind detectably and specifically to a target nucleotide sequence. Polynucleotides specifically hybridize to target nucleotide sequences under hybridization and wash conditions that minimize appreciable amounts of detectable binding to non-specific nucleic acids. High stringency conditions can be used to achieve specific hybridization conditions as is known in the art. Typically, hybridization and washing are performed at high stringency according to conventional hybridization procedures and employing one or more washing step in a solution comprising 1-3×SSC, 0.1-1% SDS at 50-70° C. for 5-30 minutes.

The term “specificity,” as used herein, refers to the ability of a primer or primer pair to amplify, or a probe to detect, nucleic acid sequences from specific target bacterial species or serotypes but not other bacterial species or serotypes. “% specificity” is defined by a negative validation test wherein the primers and/or probe are tested against a panel of at least 100 bacterial species or serotypes other than the target species or serotype. Thus, for example, a pair of primers that does not amplify any nucleic acid sequences from a panel of bacterial species and/or serotypes other than E. coli O157:H7 would be defined as demonstrating 100% specificity and a pair of primers that amplified a nucleic acid sequence from one bacterial species in a panel of 100 species and/or serotypes other than E. coli O157:H7 would be defined as demonstrating 99% specificity to E. coli O157:H7. Specificity may relate to more than one target species or serotype. For example, a pair of primers that does not amplify any nucleic acid sequences from a panel of bacterial species or serotypes other than isolates of E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM would be defined as demonstrating 100% specificity to E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM and a pair of primers that amplified a nucleic acid sequence from one bacterial species in a panel of 100 species and/or serotypes other than E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM would be defined as demonstrating 99% specificity to E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM. Similarly, a probe that does not detect any nucleic acid sequences from a panel of bacterial species and/or serotypes other than E. coli O157:H7 would be defined as demonstrating 100% specificity to E. coli O157:H7 and a probe that detects a nucleic acid sequence from one bacterial species and/or serotype in a panel of 100 species other than E. coli O157:H7 would be defined as demonstrating 99% specificity to E. coli O157:H7. Similarly, a probe that does not detect any nucleic acid sequences from a panel of bacterial species or serotypes other than isolates of E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM would be defined as demonstrating 100% specificity to E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM and a probe that detects a nucleic acid sequence from one bacterial species in a panel of 100 species and/or serotypes other than E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM would be defined as demonstrating 99% specificity to E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM.

The term “sensitivity,” as used herein, refers to the ability of a primer or primer pair to amplify, or a probe to detect, nucleic acid sequences from a range of isolates from a target bacterial species or serotype “% sensitivity” is defined by a positive validation test wherein the primers and/or probe are tested against a panel of at least 50 isolates of a target serotype. Thus, for example, a pair of primers that amplifies nucleic acid sequences from all E. coli O157:H7 isolates in the panel would be defined as demonstrating 100% sensitivity to E. coli O157:H7 and a pair of primers that amplified nucleic acid-sequences from 45 E. coli O157:H7 isolates in a panel of 50 isolates would be defined as demonstrating 90% sensitivity to E. coli O157:H7. Similarly, a probe that detects nucleic acid sequences from all E. coli O157:H7 isolates in the panel would be defined as demonstrating 100% sensitivity to E. coli O157:H7 and a probe that detects nucleic acid sequences from 45 E. coli O157:H7 isolates in a panel of 50 isolates would be defined as demonstrating 90% sensitivity to E. coli O157:H7. Sensitivity may relate to more than one target bacterial species or serotype. For example, a pair of primers that amplifies nucleic acid sequences from all isolates of E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM in the panel would be defined as demonstrating 100% sensitivity to E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM and a pair of primers that amplified nucleic acid sequences from 45 E. coli O157:H7 isolates and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM in a panel of 50 isolates would be defined as demonstrating 90% sensitivity to E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM. Similarly, a probe that detects nucleic acid sequences from all E. coli O157:H7 isolates and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM in the panel would be defined as demonstrating 100% sensitivity to E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM and a probe that detects nucleic acid sequences from 45 E. coli O157:H7 isolates and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM in a panel of 50 isolates would be defined as demonstrating 90% sensitivity to E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM.

The term “corresponding to” refers to a polynucleotide sequence that is identical to all or a portion of a reference polynucleotide sequence. In contradistinction, the term “complementary to” is used herein to indicate that a polynucleotide sequence is identical to all or a portion of the complementary strand of a reference polynucleotide sequence. For illustration, the nucleotide sequence “TATAC” corresponds to a reference sequence “TATAC” and is complementary to a reference sequence “GTATA”.

The terms “hairpin” or “hairpin loop” refer to a single strand of DNA or RNA, the ends of which comprise complementary sequences, whereby the ends anneal together to form a “stem” and the region between the ends is not annealed and forms a “loop”. Some probes, such as molecular beacons, have such “hairpin” structure when not hybridized to a target sequence. The loop is a single-stranded structure containing sequences complementary to the target sequence, whereas the stem self-hybridises to form a double-stranded region and is typically unrelated to the target sequence, however, nucleotides that are both complementary to the target sequence and that can self-hybridise can also be included in the stem region.

The terms “target sequence”, “target nucleotide sequence,” or “target nucleic acid sequence” as used herein, refer to a particular nucleic acid and/or its sequence in a test sample to which a primer and/or probe is intended to specifically hybridize. A “target sequence” is typically longer than the primer or probe sequence and thus can contain multiple “primer target sequences” and “probe target sequences”. A target sequence may be single- or double-stranded. The term “primer target sequence” as used herein refers to a nucleic acid sequence that may or may not be in a test sample and to which a primer is designed to specifically hybridize. The term “probe target sequence” refers to a nucleic acid sequence that may or may not be in a test sample and to which a probe is designed to specifically hybridize.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to a +/−10% variation from the nominal value. It is to be understood that such a variation is always included in any given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to.

Target Sequences

A single nucleotide region of the gnd gene sequence, having a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:43 was identified as being generally conserved in various isolates of E. coli O157:H7 and, therefore, a potential target sequence for probes. This sequence is identified or referred to herein as a consensus sequence. This sequence has also been identified in verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM.

Multiple sequence alignment analysis of a portion of E. coli O157:H7 gnd gene sequences identified a 75 nucleotide region within the consensus sequence, having a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:19 (shown in FIG. 7), as being generally conserved in the various isolates of E. coli O157:H7 and, therefore a potential target sequence for probes. This sequence is referred to herein as the gnd conserved sequence #1. This sequence has also been identified in verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM. An exemplary multiple sequence alignment of portions of the coding strand of the gnd gene is shown in FIG. 1. One skilled in the art will appreciate that similar alignments can be conducted using longer sequences and/or the non coding strand of the gene, such as the region shown in FIG. 7A [SEQ ID NO:1].

Similarly, multiple sequence alignment analysis of a portion of E. coli O157:H7 gnd gene sequences identified a 208 nucleotide region within the consensus sequence, having a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:29 (shown in FIG. 8), as being generally conserved in the various isolates of E. coli O157:H7 and, therefore a target sequence for probes. This sequence is referred to herein as conserved sequence #2. This sequence has also been identified in verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that similar alignments can be conducted to identify other conserved sequences using the coding and/or the non coding strands of the gene.

Accordingly in one embodiment, the present invention provides polynucleotides consisting of the consensus sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement of this sequence, that can be used as a target sequence for the design of primers and/or probes for the specific detection of E. coli O157:H7. In another embodiment, the present invention provides isolated polynucleotides consisting of conserved sequence #1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:19 (shown in FIG. 7), or the complement of this sequence, that can be used as a target sequence for the design of primers and/or probes for the specific detection of E. coli O157:H7. In a further embodiment, the present invention provides isolated polynucleotides consisting of conserved sequence #2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:29 (shown in FIG. 8), or the complement of this sequence, that can be used as a target sequence for the design of primers and/or probes for the specific detection of E. coli O157:H7.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides polynucleotides consisting of the consensus sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement of this sequence, that can be used as a target sequence for the design of primers and/or probes for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM. In another embodiment, the present invention provides isolated polynucleotides consisting of conserved sequence #1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:19 (shown in FIG. 7), or the complement of this sequence, that can be used as a target sequence for the design of primers and/or probes for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM. In a further embodiment, the present invention provides isolated polynucleotides consisting of conserved sequence #2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:29 (shown in FIG. 8), or the complement of this sequence, that can be used as a target sequence for the design of primers and/or probes for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 and verotoxin producing isolates of E. coli O157:NM.

It will be recognised by those skilled in the art that all, or a portion or fragment, of the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43 or complement thereof can be used as target sequences to design primers and/or probes for the specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin. In one embodiment of the invention, target sequences are provided comprising at least 15% of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43. In a further embodiment, the target sequences comprise 20% of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement thereof. In a further embodiment, the target sequences comprise at least 25% of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement thereof. Target sequences comprising at least 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 85%, 90%, 95% and 98% of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement thereof, are also contemplated.

It will be further recognised by those skilled in the art that all, or a portion or fragment, of conserved sequences within the consensus sequence can be used as target sequences for the specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin. Accordingly it will be recognised by those skilled in the art that all, or a portion of conserved sequence #1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19 or complement thereof, or all, or a portion of conserved sequence #2 set forth in SEQ ID NO:29 or complement thereof, can be used as target sequences.

In one embodiment of the invention, target sequences are provided comprising at least 65% of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the complement thereof. In another embodiment, the target sequences comprise at least 70% of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the complement thereof. In another embodiment, the target sequences comprise at least 75% of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the complement thereof. In a further embodiment, the target sequences comprise at least 80% of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the complement thereof. Target sequences comprising at least 85%, 90%, 95% and 98% of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the complement thereof, are also contemplated.

In one embodiment of the invention, target sequences are provided comprising at least 75% of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, or the complement thereof. In a further embodiment, the target sequences comprise at least 80% of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, or the complement thereof. Target sequences comprising at least 85%, 90%, 95% and 98% of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, or the complement thereof, are also contemplated.

Alternatively, such portions or fragments of the consensus sequence can be expressed in terms of consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43. Accordingly, target sequences comprising portions of the consensus sequence that include at least 50, at least 55, at least 60, at least 65, at least 70, at least 75, at least 80, at least 85, at least 90, at least 95, at least 100, at least 105, at least 110, at least 120, at least 125, at least 130, at least 135, at least 140, at least 145, at least 150, at least 155, at least 160, at least 165, at least 170, at least 175, at least 180, at least 185, at least 190, at least 195, at least 200, at least 205, at least 210, at least 215, at least 220, at least 225, at least 230, at least 235, at least 240, at least 245, at least 250, at least 255, at least 260, and at least 265 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement thereof, are contemplated. By way of illustration, a target sequence comprising a portion of a consensus sequence of “at least 50 consecutive nucleotides” means that the target sequence may comprise any series of consecutive nucleotides between 50 nucleotides and the full length of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43 (which is 269 nucleotides in length); thus this range includes portions of the consensus sequence that comprise at least 50, at least 51, at least 52, at least 53, etc, consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43.

Such portions or fragments of conserved sequence #1 can also be expressed in terms of consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19. Accordingly, target sequences comprising portions of the consensus sequences that include at least 50, at least 55, at least 58, at least 60, at least 62, at least 64, at least 66, at least 68, at least 70, at least 72 and at least 74 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19, or the complement thereof, are contemplated. By way of illustration, a target sequence comprising a portion of a conserved sequence of “at least 50 consecutive nucleotides” means that the target sequence may comprise any series of consecutive nucleotides between 50 nucleotides and the full length of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19 (which is 75 nucleotides in length); thus this range includes portions of the conserved sequence that comprise at least 51, at least 52, at least 53, at least 54, etc, consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19.

Such portions or fragments of conserved sequence #2 can also be expressed in terms of consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29. Accordingly, target sequences comprising portions of the consensus sequences that include at least 160, at least 165, at least 170, at least 175, at least 180, at least 185, at least 190, at least 195, at least 200 and at least 205 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, or the complement thereof, are contemplated. By way of illustration a target sequence comprising a portion of a conserved sequence of “at least 160 consecutive nucleotides” means that the target sequence may comprise any series of consecutive nucleotides between 160 nucleotides and the full length of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29 (which is 208 nucleotides in length); thus this range includes portions of the conserved sequence that comprise at least 161, at least 162, at least 68, at least 69, etc, consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29.

Within the identified conserved sequence # 1, an additional highly conserved region was identified. This highly conserved region of conserved sequence #1 is 21 nucleotides in length and has a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:20 (as shown in FIG. 7C). Within the identified conserved sequence #2, an additional highly conserved region was also identified. This highly conserved region of conserved sequence #2 is 28 nucleotides in length and has a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:30 (as shown in FIG. 8C). Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention provides for target sequences that comprise all or a portion of a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:20, or the complement thereof. In another embodiment of the present invention provides for target sequences that comprise all or a portion of a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:30, or the complement thereof.

It will also be appreciated that the target sequences may include additional nucleotide sequences that are found upstream and/or downstream of the consensus sequence. As the assays provided by the present invention typically include an amplification step, it may be desirable to select an overall length for the target sequence such that the assay can be conducted fairly rapidly. Thus, the target sequence typically has an overall length of less than about 500 nucleotides. In one embodiment, the target sequence has an overall length of less than about 400 nucleotides. In another embodiment, the target sequence has an overall length of less than about 350 nucleotides. In other embodiments, the target sequence has an overall length of less than or equal to about 300, about 250, about 200, and about 150 nucleotides.

The present invention provides for polynucleotides for the amplification and/or detection of nucleic acids from E. coli O157:H7 and/or nucleic acids from E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin in a sample. The polynucleotide primers and probes of the invention comprise a sequence that corresponds to, or is complementary to, the portion of the E. coli O157:H7 gnd gene shown in SEQ ID NO:1 and are capable of specifically hybridizing to target sequence. In one embodiment, the polynucleotides of the invention comprise a sequence that corresponds to, or is complementary to, a portion of the E. coli 01577:H7 gnd gene sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-11 and are capable of specifically hybridizing to target sequence.

The polynucleotides of the present invention are generally between about 7 and about 100 nucleotides in length. One skilled in the art will understand that the optimal length for a selected polynucleotide will vary depending on its intended application (i.e. primer, probe or combined primer/probe) and on whether any additional features, such as tags, self-complementary “stems” and labels (as described below), are to be incorporated. In one embodiment of the present invention, the polynucleotides are between about 10 and about 100 nucleotides in length. In another embodiment, the polynucleotides are between about 12 and about 100 nucleotides in length. In other embodiments, the polynucleotides are between about 12 and about 50 nucleotides and between 12 and 40 nucleotides in length.

One skilled in the art will also understand that the entire length of the polynucleotide primers or probes of the invention does not need to correspond to or be complementary to its target sequence within the E. coli O157:H7 gnd gene in order to specifically hybridize thereto. Thus, the polynucleotide primers and probes may comprise nucleotides at the 5′ and/or 3′ termini that are not complementary to the target sequence. Such non-complementary nucleotides may provide additional functionality to the primer/probe, for example, they may provide a restriction enzyme recognition sequence or a “tag” that facilitates detection, isolation or purification. Alternatively, the additional nucleotides may provide a self-complementary sequence that allows the primer/probe to adopt a hairpin configuration. Such configurations are necessary for certain probes, for example, molecular beacon and Scorpion probes. In a further alternative, the primers and probes may comprise one or more regions of nucleotides which are complementary to the target sequence, separated by non-complementary nucleotides.

The present invention also contemplates that one or more positions within the polynucleotide can be degenerate, i.e. can be filled by one of two or more alternate nucleotides. As is known in the art, certain positions in a gene can vary in the nucleotide that is present at that position depending on the strain of bacteria that the gene originated from. Degenerate primers or probes are typically prepared by synthesising a “pool” of polynucleotide primers or probes that contains approximately equal amounts of polynucleotides containing the appropriate nucleotide at the degenerate position. By way of example, a polynucleotide having a degenerate position that could be filled by either an “A” or a “G” would be prepared by synthesizing a pool of polynucleotides containing approximately equal amounts of a polynucleotide having an A at the degenerate position and a polynucleotide containing a G at the degenerate position.

The polynucleotide primers and probes of the invention comprise a sequence of at least 7 consecutive nucleotides that correspond to or are complementary to a portion of the E. coli O157:H7 sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. In one embodiment, the polynucleotide primers and probes of the invention comprise a sequence of at least 7 consecutive nucleotides that correspond to or are complementary to a portion of the E. coli O157:H7 sequences shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-11. As is known in the art, the optimal length of the sequence corresponding or complementary to the defined E. coli O157:H7 sequences will be dependent on the specific application for the polynucleotide, for example, whether it is to be used as a primer or a probe and, if the latter, the type of probe. Optimal lengths can be readily determined by the skilled artisan.

In one embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 10 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the E. coli O157:H7 sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. In another embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 12 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the E. coli O157:H7 sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. In a further embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 15 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the E. coli O157:H7 sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. Polynucleotides comprising at least 18, at least 20, at least 22, at least 24, at least 26, at least 27 and at least 28 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the E. coli O157:H7 sequences shown in SEQ ID NO:1 are also contemplated.

In another embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 10 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the E. coli O157:H7 sequences shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-11. In another embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 12 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the E. coli sequences shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-11. In a further embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 15 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the E. coli O157:H7 sequences shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-11. Polynucleotides comprising at least 18, at least 20, at least 22, at least 24, at least 26, at least 27 and at least 28 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the E. coli O157:H7 sequences shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-11 are also contemplated.

In another embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 7 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 43. In another embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 10 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 43. In another embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 12 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:43. In a further embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 15 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:43. Polynucleotides comprising at least 18, at least 20, at least 22, at least 24, at least 26, at least 27 and at least 28 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:43 are also contemplated.

In another embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 7 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 19. In another embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 10 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 19. In another embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 12 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the shown in SEQ ID NO:19. In a further embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 15 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:19. Polynucleotides comprising at least 18, at least 20, at least 22, at least 24, at least 26, at least 27 and at least 28 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:19 are also contemplated.

In another embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 7 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 29. In another embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 10 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 29. In another embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 12 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:29. In a further embodiment, the polynucleotides comprise at least 15 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:29. Polynucleotides comprising at least 18, at least 20, at least 22, at least 24, at least 26, at least 27 and at least 28 consecutive nucleotides corresponding or complementary to a portion of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:29 are also contemplated.

Sequences of exemplary polynucleotides of the invention are set forth in Table 1. Further non-limiting examples for the polynucleotides of the invention include polynucleotides that comprise at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of any one of SEQ ID NOs:21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40 and 42.

TABLE 1 Exemplary polynucleotides of the invention Nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO 5′- AGGAGGGCGCACTA -3′ 21 5′- GGATCGGCGCAACT -3′ 22 5′- CCTGGTGGGCAGAAAGAAGCC -3′ 24 5′- GGCTTCTTTCTGCCCACCAGG -3′ 26 5′- TGGTGAGGAGGGCGCACTA -3′ 27 5′- GAATAGGCTTCAGCAATCAGC -3′ 28 5′- GCCTCGTCGCATCT -3′ 31 5′- TAGTGCGCCCTCCT -3′ 32 5′- CAGGCACGGATGCTGCTATTGATTCCCT -3′ 34 5′- AGGGAATCAATAGCAGCATCCGTGCCTG -3′ 36 5′- GGAAACGCCTCGTCGCATCT -3′ 37 5′- TAGTGCGCCCTCCTCACCA -3′ 38 5′- CCTTAAGCCATACCTCGATAA -3′ 40 5′- TTATCGAGGTATGGCTTAAGG -3′ 42 Primers

As indicated above, the polynucleotide primers of the present invention comprise a sequence that corresponds to or is complementary to a portion of the sequences shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs:1-11. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the primers are capable of amplifying a target nucleotide sequence comprising all or a portion of the consensus sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:43. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the primers are capable of amplifying a target nucleotide sequence comprising all or a portion of the 75 nucleotide conserved sequence # 1 as shown in SEQ ID NO:19. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the primers are capable of amplifying a target nucleotide sequence comprising all or a portion of the 208 nucleotide conserved sequence #2 as shown in SEQ ID NO:29. Accordingly in one embodiment, the present invention provides for primer pairs capable of amplifying a target nucleotide sequence, wherein the target sequence is less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprises at least 160 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement thereof. In another embodiment, the present invention provides for primer pairs capable of amplifying a target nucleotide sequence, wherein the target sequence is less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprises at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:19, or the complement thereof. In a further embodiment, the present invention provides for primer pairs capable of amplifying a target nucleotide sequence, wherein the target sequence is less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprises at least 160 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:29, or the complement thereof.

Thus, pairs of primers can be selected to comprise a forward primer corresponding to a portion of the gnd gene sequence upstream of, or within the region of the gene corresponding to SEQ ID NO:43 and a reverse primer that it is complementary to a portion of the gnd gene sequence downstream of, or within the region of the gene corresponding to SEQ ID NO:43. Pairs of primers can also be selected to comprise a forward primer corresponding to a portion of the gnd gene sequence upstream of, or within the region of the gene corresponding to SEQ ID NO:19 and a reverse primer that it is complementary to a portion of the gnd gene sequence downstream of or within the region of the gene corresponding to SEQ ID NO:19. In addition, pairs of primers can be selected to comprise a forward primer corresponding to a portion of the gnd gene sequence upstream of, or within the region of the gene corresponding to SEQ ID NO:29 and a reverse primer that it is complementary to a portion of the gnd gene sequence downstream of, or within the region of the gene corresponding to SEQ ID NO:29. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the primers comprise at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. In another embodiment, the primers comprise at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-11.

Appropriate primer pairs can be readily determined by a worker skilled in the art. In general, primers are selected that specifically hybridize to the appropriate region of the genome of E. coli O157:H7 and/or the genome of E. coli O157:NM which produce verotoxin. In addition, primers are selected that contain minimal sequence repeats and that demonstrate a low potential of forming dimers, cross dimers, or hairpin structures and of cross priming. Such properties can be determined by methods known in the art, for example, using the computer modelling program OLIGO® Primer Analysis Software (distributed by National Biosciences, Inc., Plymouth, Minn.).

Non-limiting examples of suitable primer sequences include SEQ ID NOs: 21, 22, 27, 28, 31; 32; 37 and 38 shown in Table 1, as well as primers comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of any one of SEQ ID NOs:19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42 and 43.

Probes

In order to specifically detect E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin, the probe polynucleotides of the invention are designed to correspond to, or be complementary to a portion of the consensus sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:43. In one embodiment of the present invention, the probe polynucleotides of the invention are designed to correspond to, or be complementary to a portion of the conserved sequence #1 shown in SEQ ID NO:19. In a further embodiment, the probe polynucleotides of the invention are designed to correspond to, or be complementary to a portion of the conserved sequence #2 shown in SEQ ID NO:29. Accordingly, the probe polynucleotides comprise at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:19 or SEQ ID NO:29, or the complement thereof. As indicated above, highly conserved regions were identified within the conserved sequences #1 and #2. In one embodiment, therefore, the present invention provides for probe polynucleotides comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:20, or the complement thereof. In another embodiment the present invention provides for probe polynucleotides comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:30, or the complement thereof.

Non-limiting examples of suitable probe sequences include sequences that comprise SEQ ID NO:24, 26, 34, 36, 40 or 42 shown in Table 1, as well as probes comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42 and 43. Various types of probes known in the art are contemplated by the present invention. For example, the probe may be a hybridization probe, the binding of which to a target nucleotide sequence can be detected using a general DNA binding dye such as ethidium bromide, SYBR® Green, SYBR® Gold and the like. Alternatively, the probe can incorporate one or more detectable labels. Detectable labels are molecules or moieties a property or characteristic of which can be detected directly or indirectly and are chosen such that the ability of the probe to hybridize with its target sequence is not affected. Methods of labelling nucleic acid sequences are well-known in the art (see, for example, Ausubel et al., (1997 & updates) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley & Sons, New York).

Labels suitable for use with the probes of the present invention include those that can be directly detected, such as radioisotopes, fluorophores, chemiluminophores, enzymes, colloidal particles, fluorescent microparticles, and the like. One skilled in the art will understand that directly detectable labels may require additional components, such as substrates, triggering reagents, light, and the like to enable detection of the label. The present invention also contemplates the use of labels that are detected indirectly. Indirectly detectable labels are typically specific binding members used in conjunction with a “conjugate” that is attached or coupled to a directly detectable label. Coupling chemistries for synthesising such conjugates are well-known in the art and are designed such that the specific binding property of the specific binding member and the detectable property of the label remain intact. As used herein, “specific binding member” and “conjugate” refer to the two members of a binding pair, i.e. two different molecules, where the specific binding member binds specifically to the probe, and the “conjugate” specifically binds to the specific binding member. Binding between the two members of the pair is typically chemical or physical in nature. Examples of such binding pairs include, but are not limited to, antigens and antibodies; avidin/streptavidin and biotin; haptens and antibodies specific for haptens; complementary nucleotide sequences; enzyme cofactors/substrates and enzymes; and the like.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the probe is labelled with a fluorophore. The probe may additionally incorporate a quencher for the fluorophore. Fluorescently labelled probes can be particularly useful for the real-time detection of target nucleotide sequences in a test sample. Examples of probes that are labelled with both a fluorophore and a quencher that are contemplated by the present invention include, but are not limited to, molecular beacon probes and TaqMan® probes. Such probes are well known in the art (see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,150,097; 5,925,517 and 6,103,476; Marras et al., “Genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms with molecular beacons”. In Kwok, P.Y. (ed.), “Single nucleotide polymorphisms: methods and protocols,”. Vol. 212, pp. 111-128, Humana Press, Totowa, N.J.)

A molecular beacon probe is a hairpin shaped oligonucleotide sequence, which undergoes a conformational change when it hybridizes to a perfectly complementary target sequence. The secondary structure of a typical molecular beacon probe includes a loop sequence, which is capable of hybridizing to a target sequence and a pair of arm (or “stem”) sequences. One arm is attached to a fluorophore, while the other arm is attached to a quencher. The arm sequences are complementary to each other so as to enable the arms to hybridize together to form a molecular duplex and the beacon adopts a hairpin conformation in which the fluorophore and quencher are in close proximity and interact such that emission of fluorescence is prevented. Hybridization between the loop sequence and the target sequence forces the molecular beacon probe to undergo a conformational change in which arm sequences are forced apart and the fluorophore is physically separated from the quencher. As a result, the fluorescence of the fluorophore is restored. The fluorescence generated can be monitored and related to the presence of the target nucleotide sequence. If no target sequence is present in the sample, no fluorescence will be observed. This methodology, as described further below, can also be used to quantify the amount of target nucleotide in a sample. By way of example, FIGS. 3 and 6 depict the secondary structure of exemplary hairpin loop molecular beacons having sequences corresponding to SEQ ID NO:23 and 33, respectively.

Wavelength-shifting molecular beacon probes which incorporate two fluorophores, a “harvester fluorophore and an “emitter” fluorophore (see, Kramer, et al., (2000) Nature Biotechnology, 18:1191-1196) are also contemplated. When a wavelength-shifting molecular beacon binds to its target sequence and the hairpin opens, the energy absorbed by the harvester fluorophore is transferred by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to the emitter, which then fluoresces. Wavelength-shifting molecular beacons are particularly suited to multiplex assays.

TaqMan® probes are dual-labelled fluorogenic nucleic acid probes that function on the same principles as molecular beacons. TaqMan® probes are composed of a polynucleotide that is complementary to a target sequence and is labelled at the 5′ terminus with a fluorophore and at the 3′ terminus with a quencher. TaqMan® probes, like molecular beacons, are typically used as real-time probes in amplification reactions. In the free probe, the close proximity of the fluorophore and the quencher ensures that the fluorophore is internally quenched. During the extension phase of the amplification reaction, the probe is cleaved by the 5′ nuclease activity of the polymerase and the fluorophore is released. The released fluorophore can then fluoresce and produce a detectable signal.

Linear probes comprising a fluorophore and a high efficiency dark quencher, such as the Black Hole Quenchers (BHQ™; Biosearch Technologies, Inc., Novato, Calif.) are also contemplated. As is known in the art, the high quenching efficiency and lack of native fluorescence of the BHQ™ dyes allows “random-coil” quenching to occur in linear probes labelled at one terminus with a fluorophore and at the other with a BHQ™ dye thus ensuring that the fluorophore does not fluoresce when the probe is in solution. Upon binding its target sequence, the probe stretches out spatially separating the fluorophore and quencher and allowing the fluorophore to fluoresce. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the BHQ™ dyes can also be used as the quencher moiety in molecular beacon or TaqMan® probes.

As an alternative to including a fluorophore and a quencher in a single molecule, two fluorescently labelled probes that anneal to adjacent regions of the target sequence can be used. One of these probes, a donor probe, is labelled at the 3′ end with a donor fluorophore, such as fluorescein, and the other probe, the acceptor probe, is labelled at the 5′ end with an acceptor fluorophore, such as LC Red 640 or LC Red 705. When the donor fluorophore is stimulated by the excitation source, energy is transferred to the acceptor fluorophore by FRET resulting in the emission of a fluorescent signal.

In addition to providing primers and probes as separate molecules, the present invention also contemplates polynucleotides that are capable of functioning as both primer and probe in an amplification reaction. Such combined primer/probe polynucleotides are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, Scorpion probes, duplex Scorpion probes, Lux™ primers and Amplifluor™ primers.

Scorpion probes consist of, from the 5′ to 3′ end, (i) a fluorophore, (ii) a specific probe sequence that is complementary to a portion of the target sequence and is held in a hairpin configuration by complementary stem loop sequences, (iii) a quencher, (iv) a PCR blocker (such as, hexethylene glycol) and (v) a primer sequence. After extension of the primer sequence in an amplification reaction, the probe folds back on itself so that the specific probe sequence can bind to its complement within the same DNA strand.

This opens up the hairpin and the fluorophore can fluoresce. Duplex Scorpion probes are a modification of Scorpion probes in which the fluorophore-coupled probe/primer containing the PCR blocker and the quencher-coupled sequence are provided as separate complementary polynucleotides. When the two polynucleotides are hybridized as a duplex molecule, the fluorophore is quenched. Upon dissociation of the duplex when the primer/probe binds the target sequence, the fluorophore and quencher become spatially separated and the fluorophore fluoresces.

The Amplifluor Universal Detection System also employs fluorophore/quencher combinations and is commercially available from Chemicon International (Temecula, Calif.).

In contrast, Lux™ primers incorporate only a fluorophore and adopt a hairpin structure in solution that allows them to self-quench. Opening of the hairpin upon binding to a target sequence allows the fluorophore to fluoresce.

Suitable fluorophores and/or quenchers for use with the polynucleotides of the present invention are known in the art (see for example, Tyagi et al., Nature Biotechnol., 16:49-53 (1998); Marras et al., Genet. Anal.: Biomolec. Eng., 14:151-156 (1999)). Many fluorophores and quenchers are available commercially, for example from Molecular Probes (Eugene, Oreg.) or Biosearch Technologies, Inc. (Novato, Calif.). Examples of fluorophores that can be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, fluorescein and fluorescein derivatives, such as 6-carboxyfluoroscein (FAM), 5′-tetrachlorofluorescein phosphoroamidite (TET), tetrachloro-6-carboxyfluoroscein, VIC and JOE, 5-(2′-aminoethyl)aminonaphthalene-1-sulphonic acid (EDANS), coumarin and coumarin derivatives, Lucifer yellow, Texas red, tetramethylrhodamine, 5-carboxyrhodamine, cyanine dyes (such as Cy5) and the like. Pairs of fluorophores suitable for use as FRET pairs include, but are not limited to, fluorescein/rhodamine, fluorescein/Cy5, fluorescein/Cy5.5, fluorescein/LC Red 640, fluorescein/LC Red 750, and phycoerythrin/Cy7. Quenchers include, but are not limited to, 4′-(4-dimethylaminophenylazo)benzoic acid (DABCYL), 4-dimethylaminophenylazophenyl-4′-maleimide (DABMI), tetramethylrhodamine, carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA), BHQ™ dyes and the like.

Methods of selecting appropriate sequences for and preparing the various primers and probes are known in the art. For example, the polynucleotides can be prepared using conventional solid-phase synthesis using commercially available equipment, such as that available from Applied Biosystems USA Inc. (Foster City, Calif.), DuPont, (Wilmington, Del.), or Milligen (Bedford, Mass.). Methods of coupling fluorophores and quenchers to nucleic acids are also in the art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the probe polynucleotide is a molecular beacon. In general, in order to form a hairpin structure effectively, molecular beacons are at least 17 nucleotides in length. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, therefore, the molecular beacon probe is typically between about 17 and about 40 nucleotides in length. Non-limiting examples of molecular beacon probes of the present invention include SEQ ID NOs: 23, 25, 33, 35, 39 and 41. Within the probe, the loop sequence that corresponds to or is complementary to the target sequence typically is about 7 to about 32 nucleotides in length, while the stem (or arm) sequences are each between about 4 and about 9 nucleotides in length. As indicated above, part of the stem sequences of a molecular beacon may also be complementary to the target sequence. In one embodiment of the present invention, the loop sequence of the molecular beacon is between about 10 and about 32 nucleotides in length. In other embodiments, the loop sequence of the molecular beacon is between about 15 and about 30 nucleotides in length.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the loop region of the molecular beacon probe comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement thereof. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the loop region of the molecular beacon probe comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the complement thereof. In another embodiment, the loop region of the molecular beacon probe comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:24, 26, or the complement thereof. In another embodiment, the loop region of the molecular beacon probe comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 29, or the complement thereof. In a further embodiment, the loop region of the molecular beacon probe comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34, 36, 40, 42, or the complement thereof.

Amplification and Detection

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, detection of E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin involves subjecting a test sample to an amplification reaction in order to obtain an amplification product, or amplicon comprising the target sequence.

As used herein, an “amplification reaction” refers to a process that increases the number of copies of a particular nucleic acid sequence by enzymatic means. Amplification procedures are well-known in the art and include, but are not limited to, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), TMA, rolling circle amplification, nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA), strand displacement amplification (SDA) and Q-beta replicase amplification. One skilled in the art will understand that for use in certain amplification techniques the primers described above may need to be modified, for example, SDA primers comprise additional nucleotides near the 5′ end that constitute a recognition site for a restriction endonuclease. Similarly, NASBA primers comprise additional nucleotides near the 5′ end that are not complementary to the target sequence but which constitute an RNA polymerase promoter. Polynucleotides thus modified are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the target sequence is amplified by PCR. PCR is a method known in the art for amplifying a nucleotide sequence using a heat stable polymerase and a pair of primers, one primer (the forward primer) complementary to the (+)-strand at one end of the sequence to be amplified and the other primer (the reverse primer) complementary to the (−)-strand at the other end of the sequence to be amplified. Newly synthesized DNA strands can subsequently serve as templates for the same primer sequences and successive rounds of strand denaturation, primer annealing, and strand elongation, produce rapid and highly specific amplification of the target sequence. PCR can thus be used to detect the existence of a defined sequence in a DNA sample. The term “PCR” as used herein refers to the various forms of PCR known in the art including, but not limited to, quantitative PCR, reverse-transcriptase PCR, real-time PCR, hot start PCR, long PCR, LAPCR, multiplex PCR, touchdown PCR, and the like. “Real-time PCR” refers to a PCR reaction in which the amplification of a target sequence is monitored in real time by, for example, the detection of fluorescence emitted by the binding of a labelled probe to the amplified target sequence.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene of E. coli O157:H7 and/or a gnd gene of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin of less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43 using pairs of polynucleotide primers, each member of the primer pair comprising at least 7 nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, or the complement thereof. In another embodiment, the present invention provides for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene of E. coli O157:H7 and/or a gnd of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin of less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43 using pairs of polynucleotide primers, each member of the primer pair comprising at least 7 nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-11, or the complement thereof. In another embodiment, the present invention provides for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene of E. coli O157:H7 and/or a gnd gene of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin of less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19 using pairs of polynucleotide primers, each member of the primer pair comprising at least 7 nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, or the complement thereof. In another embodiment, the present invention provides for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene of E. coli O157:H7 and/or a gnd gene of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin of less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19 using pairs of polynucleotide primers, each member of the primer pair comprising at least 7 nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-11, or the complement thereof. In another embodiment, the present invention provides for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene of E. coli O157:H7 and/or a gnd gene of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin of less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 160 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29 using pairs of polynucleotide primers, each member of the primer pair comprising at least 7 nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, or the complement thereof. In another embodiment, the present invention provides for amplification of a portion of a gnd gene of E. coli O157:H7 and/or a gnd gene of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin of less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 160 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29 using pairs of polynucleotide primers, each member of the primer pair comprising at least 7 nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-11, or the complement thereof.

The product of the amplification reaction can be detected by a number of means known to individuals skilled in the art. Examples of such detection means include, for example, gel electrophoresis and/or the use of polynucleotide probes. In one embodiment of the invention, the amplification products are detected through the use of polynucleotide probes. Such polynucleotide probes are described in detail above.

One embodiment of the invention, therefore, provides for amplification and detection of a portion of a gnd gene of E. coli O157:H7 and/or a gnd gene of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin of less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43 using a combination of polynucleotides, the combination comprising one or more polynucleotide primers comprising at least 7 nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, or the complement thereof, and a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement thereof.

Another embodiment of the invention, therefore, provides for amplification and detection of a portion of a gnd gene of E. coli O157:H7 and/or a gnd gene of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin of less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:43 using a combination of polynucleotides, the combination comprising one or more polynucleotide primers comprising at least 7 nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-11, or the complement thereof, and a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:43, or the complement thereof.

Another embodiment of the invention, therefore, provides for amplification and detection of a portion of a gnd gene of E. coli O157:H7 and/or a gnd gene of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin of less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19 using a combination of polynucleotides, the combination comprising one or more polynucleotide primers comprising at least 7 nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, or the complement thereof, and a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the complement thereof.

Another embodiment of the invention, therefore, provides for amplification and detection of a portion of a gnd gene of E. coli O157:H7 and/or a gnd gene of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin of less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 50 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19 using a combination of polynucleotides, the combination comprising one or more polynucleotide primers comprising at least 7 nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-11, or the complement thereof, and a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, or the complement thereof.

A further embodiment of the invention, therefore, provides for amplification and detection of a portion of a gnd gene of E. coli O157:H7 and/or a gnd gene of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin of less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 160 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29 using a combination of polynucleotides, the combination comprising one or more polynucleotide primers comprising at least 7 nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, or the complement thereof, and a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, or the complement thereof.

A still further embodiment of the invention, therefore, provides for amplification and detection of a portion of a gnd gene of E. coli O157:H7 and/or a gnd gene of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin of less than about 500 nucleotides in length and comprising at least 160 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29 using a combination of polynucleotides, the combination comprising one or more polynucleotide primers comprising at least 7 nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:2-11, or the complement thereof, and a polynucleotide probe comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, or the complement thereof.

It will be readily appreciated that a procedure that allows both amplification and detection of target nucleic acid sequences to take place in a single reaction vessel would be advantageous. This single reaction vessel may be sealed following addition of the test samples and/or necessary reagents. Such a procedure would avoid the risk of “carry-over” contamination in the post-amplification processing steps, and would also facilitate high-throughput screening or assays and the adaptation of the procedure to automation. Furthermore, this type of procedure allows “real time” monitoring of the amplification reaction, as discussed above, as well as more conventional “end-point” monitoring. In one embodiment, the detection is accomplished in real time in order to facilitate rapid detection. In a specific embodiment, detection is accomplished in real time through the use of molecular beacon probes.

The present invention thus provides for methods to specifically amplify and detect target nucleic acid sequences in a test sample in a single tube format using the polynucleotide primers, and optionally one or more probes, described herein. Such methods may employ dyes, such as SYBR® Green or SYBR® Gold that bind to the amplified target sequence, or an antibody that specifically detects the amplified target sequence. The dye or antibody is included in the reaction vessel and detects the amplified sequences as it is formed. Alternatively, a labelled polynucleotide probe (such as a molecular beacon or TaqMan® probe) distinct from the primer sequences, which is complementary to a region of the amplified sequence, may be included in the reaction, or one of the primers may act as a combined primer/probe, such as a Scorpion probe. Such options are discussed in detail above.

Thus, a general method of detecting E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin in a sample is provided that comprises contacting a test sample with a combination of polynucleotides comprising at least one polynucleotide primer and at least one polynucleotide probe or primer/probe, as described above, under conditions that permit amplification of one or more target sequence(s), and detecting any amplified target sequence(s) as an indication of the presence of E. coli O157:H7 and/or the presence of E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxinin the sample. A “test sample” as used herein is a biological sample suspected of containing, or known to contain, one or more E. coli O157:H7 target nucleotide sequences and/or one or more E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method using the polynucleotide primers and probes or primer/probes is provided to specifically amplify and detect a target nucleotide from E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin sequence in a test sample, the method generally comprising the steps of:

-   (a) forming a reaction mixture comprising a test sample,     amplification reagents, one or more polynucleotide probes capable of     specifically hybridising to a portion of the target nucleotide     sequence and one or more polynucleotide primers corresponding to or     complementary to a portion of a gnd gene from E. coli O157:H7 and/or     a gnd gene from E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin comprising     said target nucleotide sequence; -   (b) subjecting the mixture to amplification conditions to generate     at least one copy of the target nucleotide sequence, or a nucleic     acid sequence complementary to the target nucleotide sequence; -   (c) hybridizing the probe to the target nucleotide sequence or the     nucleic acid sequence complementary to the target sequence, so as to     form a probe:target hybrid; and -   (d) detecting the probe:target hybrid as an indication of the     presence of the target nucleotide sequence in the test sample.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the method employs one or more labelled probes in step(a).

The term “amplification reagents” includes conventional reagents employed in amplification reactions and includes, but is not limited to, one or more enzymes having nucleic acid polymerase activity, enzyme cofactors (such as magnesium or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)), salts, buffers, nucleotides such as deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs; for example, deoxyadenosine triphosphate, deoxyguanosine triphosphate, deoxycytidine triphosphate and deoxythymidine triphosphate) and other reagents that modulate the activity of the polymerase enzyme or the specificity of the primers.

It will be readily understood by one skilled in the art that step (b) of the above method can be repeated several times prior to step (c) by thermal cycling the reaction mixture by techniques known in the art and that steps (b), (c) and (d) may take place concurrently such that the detection of the amplified sequence takes place in real time. In addition, variations of the above method can be made depending on the intended application of the method, for example, the polynucleotide probe may be a combined primer/probe, or it may be a separate polynucleotide probe, in which case two different polynucleotide primers are used. Additional steps may be incorporated before, between or after those listed above as necessary, for example, the test sample may undergo enrichment, extraction and/or purification steps to isolate nucleic acids therefrom prior to the amplification reaction, and/or the amplified product may be submitted to purification/isolation steps or further amplification prior to detection, and/or the results from the detection step (d) may be analysed in order to quantify the amount of target present in the sample or to compare the results with those from other samples. These and other variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

Diagnostic Assays to Detect E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM Verotoxin Producers

The present invention provides for diagnostic assays using the polynucleotide primers and/or probes that can be used for highly specific and sensitive detection of one or more isolates of E. coli O157:H7 and/or one or more E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin in a test sample. The diagnostic assays comprise amplification and detection of nucleic acids from E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin as described above. The diagnostic assays can be qualitative or quantitative and can involve real time monitoring of the amplification reaction or conventional end-point monitoring.

In one embodiment, the invention provides for diagnostic assays that do not require post-amplification manipulations and minimise the amount of time required to conduct the assay. For example, in a specific embodiment, there is provided a diagnostic assay, utilising the primers and probes described herein, that can be completed using real time PCR technology in about 54 hours and generally in 24 hours or less.

Such diagnostic assays are particularly useful in the detection of contamination of various foodstuffs by E. coli O157:H7 and/or by E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin. Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a rapid and sensitive diagnostic assay for the detection of contamination of a food sample by E. coli O157:H7 and/or by E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin. Foods that can be analysed using the diagnostic assays include, but are not limited to, dairy products such as milk, including raw milk, cheese, yoghurt, ice cream and cream; raw, cooked and cured meats and meat products, such as beef, pork, lamb, mutton, poultry (including turkey, chicken), game (including rabbit, grouse, pheasant, duck), minced and ground meat (including ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork); eggs; fruits and vegetables; nuts and nut products, such as nut butters; seafood products including fish and shellfish; and fruit or vegetable juices. The diagnostic assays may also be used to detect contamination of drinking water by E. coli O157:H7 and/or by E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin.

While the primary focus of detection is food products, the present invention also contemplates the use of the primers and probes in diagnostic assays for the detection of E. coli contamination of other biological samples, such as patient specimens in a clinical setting, for example, faeces, blood, saliva, throat swabs, urine, mucous, and the like, as well as E. coli contamination of surfaces and instruments, such as surgical or dental instruments. The diagnostic assays are also useful in the assessment of microbiologically pure cultures, and in environmental and pharmaceutical quality control processes.

The test sample can be used in the assay either directly (i.e. as obtained from the source) or following one or more pre-treatment steps to modify the character of the sample. Thus, the test sample can be pre-treated prior to use, for example, by disrupting cells or tissue, extracting the microbial content from the sample (such as a swab or wipe test sample), enhancing/enriching the microbial content of the sample by culturing in a suitable medium, preparing liquids from solid materials, diluting viscous fluids, filtering liquids, distilling liquids, concentrating liquids, inactivating interfering components, adding reagents, purifying nucleic acids, and the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, the test sample is subjected to one or more steps to isolate, or partially isolate, nucleic acids therefrom. In another embodiment of the invention, the test sample is subjected to an enrichment procedure to enhance the microbial content of the sample prior to use in the assay.

As indicated above, the polynucleotide primers and probes of the invention can be used in assays to quantitate the amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a test sample. Thus, the present invention provides for method to specifically amplify, detect and quantitate a target nucleotide sequence in a test sample, the methods generally comprising the steps of:

-   (a) forming a reaction mixture comprising a test sample,     amplification reagents, one or more polynucleotide probes capable of     specifically hybridising to a portion of a target nucleotide     sequence and one or more polynucleotide primers corresponding to or     complementary to a portion of a gnd gene from E. coli O157:H7     and/or E. coli O157:NM comprising said target nucleotide sequence; -   (b) subjecting the mixture to amplification conditions to generate     at least one copy of the target nucleotide sequence, or a nucleic     acid sequence complementary to the target nucleotide sequence; -   (c) hybridizing the probe to the target nucleotide sequence or the     nucleic acid sequence complementary to the target sequence, so as to     form a probe:target hybrid; -   (d) detecting the probe:target hybrid; and -   (e) analysing the amount of probe:target hybrid present as an     indication of the amount of target nucleotide sequence present in     the test sample.

The steps of this method may also be varied and may employ combinations of primers and probes for different target sequences as described above for the amplification/detection method.

In one embodiment, the method employs one or more labelled polynucleotide probes in step (a) and steps (d) and (e) are as follows:

-   (d) detecting the probe:target hybrid by detecting the signal     produced by the hybridized labelled probe; and -   (e) analysing the amount of signal produced as an indication of the     amount of target nucleotide sequence present in the test sample.

Step (e) can be conducted, for example, by comparing the amount of signal produced to a standard or utilising one of a number of statistical methods known in the art that do not require a standard.

Various types of standards for quantitative assays are known in the art. For example, the standard can consist of a standard curve compiled by amplification and detection of known quantities of the target nucleotide sequence under the assay conditions. Alternatively, relative quantitation can be performed without the need for a standard curve (see, for example, Pfaffl, M W. (2001) Nucleic Acids Research 29(9):2002-2007). In this method, a reference gene is selected against which the expression of the target gene can be compared and an additional pair of primers and an appropriate probe are included in the reaction in order to amplify and detect a portion of the selected reference gene. The reference gene is usually a gene that is expressed constitutively, for example, a house-keeping gene.

Another similar method of quantification is based on the inclusion of an internal standard in the reaction. Such internal standards generally comprise a control target nucleotide sequence and a control polynucleotide probe. The internal standard can further include an additional pair of primers that specifically amplify the control target nucleotide sequence and are unrelated to the polynucleotides of the present invention. Alternatively, the control target sequence can contain primer target sequences that allow specific binding of the assay primers but a different probe target sequence. This allows both the target sequence(s) and the control sequence to be amplified with the same primers, but the amplicons are detected with separate probe polynucleotides. Typically, when a reference gene or an internal standard is employed, the reference/control probe incorporates a detectable label that is distinct from the label incorporated into the target sequence specific probe(s). The signals generated by these labels when they bind their respective target sequences can thus be distinguished.

In the context of the present invention, a control target nucleotide sequence is a nucleic acid sequence that (i) can be amplified either by the target sequence specific primers or by control primers, (ii) specifically hybridizes to the control probe under the assay conditions and (iii) does not exhibit significant hybridization to the target sequence specific probe(s) under the same conditions. One skilled in the art will recognise that the actual nucleic acid sequences of the control target nucleotide and the control probe are not important provided that they both meet the criteria outlined above.

The diagnostic assays can be readily adapted for high-throughput. High-throughput assays provide the advantage of processing many samples simultaneously and significantly decrease the time required to screen a large number of samples. The present invention, therefore, contemplates the use of the polynucleotides of the present invention in high-throughput screening or assays to detect and/or quantitate target nucleotide sequences in a plurality of test samples.

For high-throughput assays, reaction components are usually housed in a multi-container carrier or platform, such as a multi-well microtitre plate, which allows a plurality of assays each containing a different test sample to be monitored simultaneously. Control samples can also be included in the plates to provide internal controls for each plate. Many automated systems are now available commercially for high-throughput assays, as are automation capabilities for procedures such as sample and reagent pipetting, liquid dispensing, timed incubations, formatting samples into microarrays, microplate thermocycling and microplate readings in an appropriate detector, resulting in much faster throughput times.

Kits and Packages for the Detection of E. coli O157:H7 and/or Detection of E. coli O157:NM which Produces Verotoxin

The present invention further provides for kits for detecting E. coli O157: H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM verotoxin producers in a variety of samples. In general, the kits comprise one or more pairs of primers and one or more probe capable of amplifying and detecting target sequence(s) as described above. If desired, one of the primers and the probe may be provided in the form of a single polynucleotide, such as a Scorpion probe, as described above. The probe provided in the kit can be unlabelled, or can incorporate a detectable label, such as a fluorophore or a fluorophore and a quencher, or the kit may include reagents for labelling the probe. The primers/probes can be provided in separate containers or in an array format, for example, pre-dispensed into microtitre plates.

One embodiment of the present invention provides for kits comprising a combination of primers and probes that are capable of amplifying and detecting target sequences from E. coli O157: H7 target sequences and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin associated with different genes.

The kits can optionally include amplification reagents, such as buffers, salts, enzymes, enzyme co-factors, nucleotides and the like. Other components, such as buffers and solutions for the enrichment, isolation and/or lysis of bacteria in a test sample, extraction of nucleic acids, purification of nucleic acids and the like may also be included in the kit. One or more of the components of the kit may be lyophilised and the kit may further comprise reagents suitable for the reconstitution of the lyophilised components.

The various components of the kit are provided in suitable containers. As indicated above, one or more of the containers may be a microtitre plate. Where appropriate, the kit may also optionally contain reaction vessels, mixing vessels and other components that facilitate the preparation of reagents or nucleic acids from the test sample.

The kit may additionally include one or more controls. For example, control polynucleotides (primers, probes, target sequences or a combination thereof) may be provided that allow for quality control of the amplification reaction and/or sample preparation, or that allow for the quantitation of the target nucleotide sequences.

The kit can additionally contain instructions for use, which may be provided in paper form or in computer-readable form, such as a disc, CD, DVD or the like.

The present invention further contemplates that the kits described above may be provided as part of a package that includes computer software to analyse data generated from the use of the kit.

The invention will now be described with reference to specific examples. It will be understood that the following examples are intended to describe preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Determination of a Unique, Conserved DNA Region in E. coli O157: H7 gnd Gene Sequences (#1)

The gnd gene coding regions from 17 different E. coli isolates were sequenced and aligned using the multiple alignment program Clustal W™. The resulting alignment was used to identify short DNA regions that were conserved within the E. coli O157: H7 group, yet which are excluded from other bacteria. FIG. 1 depicts a sample of such an alignment in which a portion of the gnd gene of 17 different E. coli strains have been aligned.

A 75 nucleotide conserved sequence (conserved sequence #1) was identified as described above (SEQ ID NO:19). This unique and conserved element of E. coli O157. H7 gnd-gene sequences was used to design highly specific primers for the PCR amplification of the conserved region of the gnd gene.

Example 2 Generation of PCR Primers for Amplification of the end Conserved Sequence #1

Within the conserved 75 nucleotide sequence identified as described in Example 1, regions that could serve as primer target sequences were identified. These primer target sequences were used to design primers to allow efficient PCR amplification. The primer sequences are shown below:

Forward primer #1: 5′- AGGAGGGCGCACTA -3′ [SEQ ID NO: 21] Reverse primer #1: 5′- GGATCGGCGCAACT -3′ [SEQ ID NO: 22] Forward primer #2: 5′- TGGTGAGGAGGGCGCACTA -3′ [SEQ ID NO: 27] Reverse primer #2: 5′- GAATAGGCTTCAGCAATCAGC-3′ [SEQ ID NO: 28

In the alignment presented in FIG. 1, the positions of forward primer #1 and the reverse primer #1 are represented by shaded boxes. Forward primer #1 starts at position 365 and ends at position 378 of the alignment. Reverse primer #1 represents the reverse complement of the region starting at position 426 and ending at position 439.

Example 3 Generation of Molecular Beacon Probes Specific for the E. coli O157:H7,end Conserved Sequence #1

In order to design molecular beacon probes specific for E. coli O157:H7, a region within the conserved sequence described above was identified which not only was highly conserved in all E. coliO157:H7 isolates but was also exclusive to E. coli O157:H7 isolates. This sequence consisted of a 21 nucleotide region that would be suitable for use as a molecular beacon target sequence. The sequence is provided below:

5′- CCTGGTGGGCAGAAAGAAGCC -3′ [SEQ ID NO: 20]

The complement of this sequence [SEQ ID NO:26] is also suitable for use as a molecular beacon target sequence.

A molecular beacon probe having the sequence shown below was synthesized by Integrated DNA Technologies Inc.

molecular Beacon Probe #1:

5′- cCCTGGTGGGCAGAAAGAAGCCaggg -3′ [SEQ ID NO: 23]

The complement of this sequence (SEQ ID NO:25, shown below) can also be used as a molecular beacon probe for detecting E. coli O157:H7.

5′- ccctGGCTTCTTTCTGCCCACCAGGg-3′ [SEQ ID NO: 25]

The starting material for the synthesis of the molecular beacons was an oligonucleotide that contains a sulfhydryl group at its 5′ end and a primary amino group at its 3′ end. DABCYL was coupled to the primary amino group utilizing an amine-reactive derivative of DABCYL. The oligonucleotides that were coupled to DABCYL were then purified. The protective trityl moiety was then removed from the 5′-sulfhydryl group and a fluorophore was introduced in its place using an iodoacetamide derivative.

An individual skilled in the art would recognize that a variety of methodologies could be used for synthesis of the molecular beacons. For example, a controlled-pore glass column that introduces a DABCYL moiety at the 3′ end of an oligonucleotide has recently become available, which enables the synthesis of a molecular beacon completely on a DNA synthesizer.

Table 2 provides a general overview of the characteristics of molecular beacon probe #1. The beacon sequence shown in Table 2 indicates the stem region in lower case and the loop region in upper case.

TABLE 2 Description of gnd molecular beacon probe #1 Beacon sequence (5′→ 3′): cCCTGGTGGGCAGAAAGAAGCCaggg Fluorophore (5′): FAM Quencher (3′): DABCYL

Table 3 provides an overview of the thermodynamics of the folding of molecular beacon probe #1. Calculations were made using MFOLD™ software, or the Oligo Analyzer software package available on Integrated DNA Technologies Inc. web site. FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of PCR primers and the molecular beacon probe in the gnd consensus sequence #1. Numbers in parentheses indicate the positions of the first and last nucleotides of each feature on the PCR product generated with the forward primer #1 and reverse primer #1.

TABLE 3 Thermodynamics of molecular beacon probe #1. Tm loop (thermodynamics algorithm) 58.9° C. Tm stem (mFOLD calculation) 68.3° C. ΔG₃₇ (mFOLD calculation) −4.0 kCal/mol ΔH (mFOLD calculation) −44.7 kCal/mol

Example 4 Isolation of DNA from Test Samples

The following protocol was utilized in order to isolate DNA from test samples.

Material needed for DNA Extraction:

-   -   Tungsten carbide beads: Qiagen     -   Reagent DX: Qiagen     -   DNeasy Plant Mini Kit: Qiagen     -   Tissue Disruption equipment: Mixer Mill™ 300 (Qiagen)

The following method was followed:

-   -   1) Add to a 2 ml screw top tube: 1 tungsten carbide bead and 0.1         g glass beads 212 to 300 μm in width+sample to be analysed+500         μL of API buffer+1 μL of Reagent DX+1 μL of RNase A (100 mg/mL).         Extraction control done without adding sample to be analysed.     -   2) Heat in Dry-Bath at 80° C. for 10 min.     -   3) Mix in a Mixer Mill 300 (MM300) at frequency of 30 Hz [1/s],         2 min.     -   4) Rotate tubes and let stand for 10 min at room temperature.     -   5) Mix in a Mixer Mill 300, frequency 30 Hz, 2 min.     -   6) Place tubes in boiling water for 5 min.     -   7) Centrifuge with a quick spin.     -   8) Add 150 μL of AP2 buffer.     -   9) Mix at frequency of 30 Hz for 30 sec. Rotate tubes and         repeat.     -   10) Centrifuge at 13,000 rpm for 1 min.     -   11) Place tubes at −20° C. for 10 min.     -   12) Centrifuge at 13,000 rpm for 1 min.     -   13) Transfer supernatant in to a 2 mL screw top tube containing         850 μL of AP3/E buffer.     -   14) Mix by inverting, centrifuge with a quick spin.     -   15) Add 700 μL of mixture from step 13 to a DNeasy binding         column and centrifuge at 800 rpm for 1 minute. Discard eluted         buffer. Repeat process with leftover mixture from step 13.     -   16) Add 500 μL of wash buffer (AW buffer) to binding columns and         centrifuge for 1 minute at 800 rpm. Discard eluted buffer.     -   17) Add 500 μL of wash buffer (AW buffer) to binding columns and         centrifuge for 1 minute at 800 rpm. Discard eluted buffer.     -   18) Centrifuge column again at 8000 rpm for 1 min.     -   19) Place column in a sterile 2 mL tube and add 50 μL of AE         elution buffer preheated at 80° C.     -   20) Incubate for 1 min. Centrifuge at max speed for 2 min. Elute         twice with 50 μL; final volume should be 100 μL.     -   21) Keep elution for PCR amplification.

Time of manipulation: 3 hours. Proceed to prepare PCR reaction for real-time detection.

Example 5 Amplification of the and Target Sequence and Hybridization of Molecular Beacon Probe #1, in Real Time

PCR amplification was undertaken using the conditions described in Tables 4 and 5 below. The intensity of fluorescence emitted by the fluorophore component of the molecular beacon was detected at the annealing stage of each amplification cycle. In Table 4, note that the PCR buffer contains 2.25 mM magnesium chloride (final concentration). Inclusion of additional magnesium chloride brings the final concentration to 4 mM in the reaction mixture.

TABLE 4 PCR mix used for validation. Final concentration in Reagent reconstituted reaction Qiagen PCR buffer, 10× 1.5X Forward primer #1, 25 μM 0.5 μM Reverse primer #1, 25 μM 0.5 μM dNTPs, 10 mM 0.2 mM MgCl₂, 25 mM 1.75 mM Molecular beacon #1, 10 μM 0.3 μM HotStarTaq, 5 U/μL 1 U/25 μL reaction

Table 5 presents an overview of the cycles used for each step of the PCR amplification.

TABLE 5 PCR program used throughout diagnostic test validation. Step Temperature Duration Repeats Initial polymerase activation 95° C. 15 min 1 Denaturation 94° C. 15 sec 40 Annealing 55° C. 15 sec Elongation 72° C. 15 sec

Fluorescence was detected in real-time using a fluorescence monitoring real-time PCR instrument, for example, a BioRad iCycler IQ™ or MJ Research Opticon™. Other instruments with similar fluorescent reading abilities can also be used.

Example 6 Positive Validation of end Primers and Molecular Beacon Probe #1

The effectiveness of gnd forward primer #1, reverse primer #1 and molecular beacon probe #1 for amplifying and detecting E. coli O157:H7 isolates was demonstrated as described generally below.

Genomic DNA from 62 strains of E. coli O157:H7 was isolated and amplified as described in the preceding Examples (4 and 5). The molecular beacon probe #1 was capable of detecting all E. coli O157:H7 isolated tested under these conditions. (i.e. sensitivity of 100%).

TABLE 6 Positive validation of gnd molecular beacon probe #1, forward primer #1 and reverse primer #1. Genus Species ID Serovar Results Escherichia coli B71 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B73 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B74 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B75 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B76 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B81 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B82 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B83 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B84 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B85 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B86 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B87 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B88 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B89 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B90 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B91 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B92 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B93 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B94 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B95 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B96 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B97 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B163 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B164 O157:NM + Escherichia coli B245 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B246 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B247 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B248 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B249 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B250 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B251 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B252 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B253 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B254 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B255 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B256 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B257 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B258 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B259 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B260 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B261 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B262 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B263 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B264 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B265 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B266 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B267 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B268 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B269 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B270 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B271 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B272 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B273 O157: + Escherichia coli B274 O157:NM + Escherichia coli B281 O157:NM + Escherichia coli B282 O157:NM + Escherichia coli B283 O157:NM + Escherichia coli B284 O157:NM + Escherichia coli B285 O157:NM + Escherichia coli B288 O157:NM + Escherichia coli B289 O157:NM + Escherichia coli B290 O157:NM + Note: the strains E. coli B164 and E. coli B273 to B290 are enterohaemorragic variants of the E. coli O157:H7 strains that are verotoxin-producers. Information obtained from Health Canada.

Example 7 Negative Validation of the Primers and Molecular Beacon #1

In order to test the ability of the primer set #1 and molecular beacon probe #1 to preferentially amplify and detect only E. coli O157:H7, a number of bacteria from species other than E. coli O157:H7 were tested as generally described below.

Samples of genomic DNA from the bacteria presented in Table 7 below were isolated and amplified using forward primer #1 and reverse primer #1 as described in the preceding Examples (4 and 5). When no probe was included in the amplification reaction, any amplicons produced were detected using SYBR® Green (see table 14 for the amplification mixture). Four E. coli not O157:H7 false positive were obtained during the amplification with primers only (i.e. specificity of 98%). Three out of these 4 false positive are not detected when the molecular beacon #1 is added.

Also included in additional rounds of tests was molecular beacon probe # 1. The above results suggest that both the amplification primers and the molecular beacon probe #1 are specific for E. coli O157:H7. One strain out of a total of 453 yielded an amplification product under these conditions. (One E. coli O1:H32 strain gave a positive signal under these conditions i.e. specificity of 99.8%).

TABLE 7 Negative Validation of the molecular beacon probe #1, forward primer #1 and reverse primer #1. Genus Species ID Serovar Result Acinetobacter calcoaceticus B01 − Acinetobacter calcoaceticus B08 − Acinetobacter lwoffi B02 − Aeromonas hydrophila B03 − Aeromonas hydrophila B04 − Aeromonas salmonicida B02 − Aeromonas salmonicida B05 − Alcaligenes faecalis B01 − Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B01 − Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B02 − Bacillus cereus B01 − Bacillus cereus B06 − Bacillus circulans B04 − Bacillus circulans B05 − Bacillus coagulans B02 − Bacillus coagulans B03 − Bacillus firmus B01 − Bacillus Lentus B01 − Bacillus licheniformis B01 − Bacillus licheniformis B02 − Bacillus megaterium B06 − Bacillus megaterium B07 − Bacillus mycoides B01 − Bacillus pumilus B04 − Bacillus pumilus B06 − Bacillus sphaericus B01 − Bacillus stearothermophilus B03 − Bacillus subtilis B04 − Bacillus subtilis B09 − Bacillus thuringiensis B01 − Bacillus thuringiensis B03 − Bacteroides fragilis B01 − Bifidobacterium adolescentis B01 − Bifidobacterium animalis B01 − Bifidobacterium bifidum B01 − Bifidobacterium longum B01 − Bifidobacterium pseudolongum B01 − Bifidobacterium sp. B17 − Bifidobacterium sp. B25 − Bifidobacterium suis B01 − Bifidobacterium thermophilus B01 − Bordetella bronchiseptica B01 − Bordetella pertussis B01 − Borrelia burgdorferi B01 − Branhamella catarrhalis B01 − Brevibacillus laterosporus B01 − Burkholderia cepacia B01 − Burkholderia cepacia B04 − Campylobacter coli B01 − Campylobacter jejuni B01 − Campylobacter jejuni B02 − Campylobacter lari B01 − Campylobacter lari B02 − Campylobacter rectus B01 − Cellilomonea sp. B01 − Chromobacterium violaceum B01 − Chryseobacterium sp. B01 − Chryseomonas luteola B02 − Citrobacter amalonaticus B01 − Citrobacter amalonaticus B02 − Citrobacter diversus B01 − Citrobacter freundii B03 − Citrobacter freundii B09 − Citrobacter freundii B10 − Citrobacter Koseri B03 − Citrobacter werkmanii B01 − Clostridium botulinum B01 − Clostridium botulinum B12 − Clostridium butyricum B01 − Clostridium difficile B01 − Clostridium perfringens B01 − Clostridium perfringens B02 − Clostridium sporogenes B01 − Clostridium tyrobutyricum B01 − Corynebacterium xerosis B01 − Edwardsiella tarda B01 − Enterobacter aerogenes B04 − Enterobacter aerogenes B08 − Enterobacter aerogenes B20 − Enterobacter amnigenus B01 − Enterobacter cloacae B06 − Enterobacter cloacae B09 − Enterobacter intermedius B01 − Enterobacter intermedius B02 − Enterobacter taylorae B01 − Enterococcus faecalis B05 − Enterococcus faecalis B06 − Enterococcus faecium B01 − Enterococcus hirae B01 − Enterococcus hirae B02 − Erwinia herbicola B01 − Escherichia coli B01 − Escherichia coli B12 − Escherichia coli B13 O18AC:NM − Escherichia coli B14 O1:NM − Escherichia coli B15 O75:H5 − Escherichia coli B16 O62:H32 − Escherichia coli B17 O71:H12 − Escherichia coli B18 O55:NM − Escherichia coli B19 O50:H4 − Escherichia coli B20 O44:H18 − Escherichia coli B21 O45:H23 − Escherichia coli B23 O28:NM − Escherichia coli B24 O34:NM − Escherichia coli B25 O26:NM − Escherichia coli B26 O24:NM − Escherichia coli B27 O78:H11 − Escherichia coli B28 O8:H9 − Escherichia coli B29 O114:H32 − Escherichia coli B30 O3:H44 − Escherichia coli B31 O4:H5 − Escherichia coli B32 O5:H4 − Escherichia coli B33 O23:H15 − Escherichia coli B34 O7:NM − Escherichia coli B35 O18:H14 − Escherichia coli B36 O9:H12 − Escherichia coli B37 O10:NM − Escherichia coli B38 O12:NM − Escherichia coli B39 O13:NM − Escherichia coli B40 O14:NM − Escherichia coli B41 O78:NM − Escherichia coli B42 O6:H49 − Escherichia coli B43 O127:NM − Escherichia coli B44 − Escherichia coli B45 − Escherichia coli B46 O1:H7 − Escherichia coli B47 O157:H19 − Escherichia coli B48 O86:NM − Escherichia coli B49 O86:NM − Escherichia coli B50 O40:H(NT) − Escherichia coli B51 O18:H14 − Escherichia coli B52 O136:NM − Escherichia coli B53 O77:NM − Escherichia coli B54 O113:H21 − Escherichia coli B55 O80:H26 − Escherichia coli B56 O102:H40 − Escherichia coli B57 O86:NM − Escherichia coli B58 − Escherichia coli B59 O112:H18 − Escherichia coli B60 O128AC:NM − Escherichia coli B61 O112AC:NM − Escherichia coli B62 O128AB:H2 − Escherichia coli B63 O117:H4 − Escherichia coli B64 O119:H18 − Escherichia coli B65 O124:H25 − Escherichia coli B66 O125AB:H19 − Escherichia coli B67 O126:H2 − Escherichia coli B68 O128AB:H8 − Escherichia coli B69 B − Escherichia coli B77 O6:H1 − Escherichia coli B78 − Escherichia coli B79 − Escherichia coli B80 − Escherichia coli B98 O157:H43 − Escherichia coli B99 O157:H43 − Escherichia coli B100 O157:H43 − Escherichia coli B101 O157:NMb − Escherichia coli B102 O157:NMb − Escherichia coli B103 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B104 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B105 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B106 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B107 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B108 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B109 O55:NM − Escherichia coli B110 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B111 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B112 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B113 O55:H5 − Escherichia coli B114 O55:H7 − Escherichia coli B115 O55:H7 − Escherichia coli B116 O55:H7 − Escherichia coli B117 O55:H7 − Escherichia coli B118 O111:H21 − Escherichia coli B120 O111:H12 − Escherichia coli B121 O111:H12 − Escherichia coli B122 O111:NM − Escherichia coli B123 O111A:HNM − Escherichia coli B124 O111:H8 − Escherichia coli B125 O111:HNM − Escherichia coli B126 O111:H11 − Escherichia coli B127 O111:H8 − Escherichia coli B128 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B130 O111:H12 − Escherichia coli B131 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B132 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B133 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B134 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B135 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B136 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B137 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B138 O128A:H2 − Escherichia coli B139 O128A:H2 − Escherichia coli B140 O45:H2 − Escherichia coli B141 O128:H2 − Escherichia coli B142 O128:H2 − Escherichia coli B143 O111:H2 − Escherichia coli B144 O111:H2 − Escherichia coli B145 O111:NM − Escherichia coli B146 O111:H2 − Escherichia coli B147 O111:HN − Escherichia coli B148 O128:H7 − Escherichia coli B149 O128:H7 − Escherichia coli B150 O128:H7 − Escherichia coli B151 O128:H7 − Escherichia coli B152 O128:H47 − Escherichia coli B153 O128:H21 − Escherichia coli B154 O128:H21 − Escherichia coli B155 O128A:H21 − Escherichia coli B156 O128:HNM − Escherichia coli B157 O128:H21 − Escherichia coli B158 O111:H21 − Escherichia coli B159 O111:H21 − Escherichia coli B160 O111:H21 − Escherichia coli B161 O111:H21 − Escherichia coli B162 O111:H21 − Escherichia coli B165 O15:NM − Escherichia coli B166 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B167 ON:H32 − Escherichia coli B168 O1:H32 + Escherichia coli B169 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B170 O79:NM − Escherichia coli B171 ON:NM − Escherichia coli B172 O85:HN − Escherichia coli B174 ON:NM − Escherichia coli B175 O6:H10 − Escherichia coli B176 O6:H10 − Escherichia coli B178 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B179 OM:HN − Escherichia coli B180 O25:NM − Escherichia coli B181 ON:H10 − Escherichia coli B182 O106:NM − Escherichia coli B183 O5:NM − Escherichia coli B184 O5:HN − Escherichia coli B185 O89:HN − Escherichia coli B186 O121:HN − Escherichia coli B187 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B188 O86:H43 − Escherichia coli B189 O15:NM − Escherichia coli B190 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B191 O104:H21 − Escherichia coli B192 O104:NM − Escherichia coli B193 O104:NM − Escherichia coli B194 O150:H21 − Escherichia coli B195 O113:H21 − Escherichia coli B196 O79:H43 − Escherichia coli B197 O7:H21 − Escherichia coli B198 O7:H21 − Escherichia coli B199 O88:NM − Escherichia coli B200 O1:NM − Escherichia coli B201 O79:H25 − Escherichia coli B202 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B203 O7:NM − Escherichia coli B204 O7:NM − Escherichia coli B205 O7:NM − Escherichia coli B206 O7:NM − Escherichia coli B207 ON:H26 − Escherichia coli B208 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B209 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B210 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B211 O1:H6 − Escherichia coli B212 OM:H18 − Escherichia coli B213 ON:HM − Escherichia coli B214 O2:NM − Escherichia coli B215 O2:HN − Escherichia coli B216 O25:HN − Escherichia coli B217 O25:H1 − Escherichia coli B218 O4:HN − Escherichia coli B219 O25:H1 − Escherichia coli B220 O25:H2 − Escherichia coli B221 O6:H1 − Escherichia coli B222 ON:NM − Escherichia coli B223 O112:H8 − Escherichia coli B224 O4:H40 − Escherichia coli B225 O4:HN − Escherichia coli B226 O2:NM − Escherichia coli B227 O2:NM − Escherichia coli B228 O2:NM − Escherichia coli B229 O75:NM − Escherichia coli B230 ON:H10 − Escherichia coli B231 O4:H40 − Escherichia coli B232 O4:H43 − Escherichia coli B233 ON:NM − Escherichia coli B234 ON:NM − Escherichia coli B235 O78:NM − Escherichia coli B236 O78:NM − Escherichia coli B237 O144:H8 − Escherichia coli B239 O10:K5(1):H4 − Escherichia coli B240 O119:K69(b14) − Escherichia coli B241 O3:K2a,bb(1):H2 − Escherichia coli B242 O127:K63(b8) − Escherichia coli B243 O112a,112c:K66(b11):nm − Escherichia coli B244 − Escherichia coli B275 O55:H7 − Escherichia coli B276 O55:NM − Escherichia coli B277 O55:NM − Escherichia coli B278 O55:H7 − Escherichia coli B279 O55:H7 − Escherichia coli B280 O55:H7 − Escherichia coli B286 O157:NMb − Escherichia coli B287 O157:NMb − Escherichia fergusonii B01 − Escherichia hermannii B02 − Escherichia hermannii B03 − Escherichia vulneris B01 − Haemophilus equigenitalis B01 − Haemophilus influenzae B02 − Haemophilus influenzae B04 − Haemophilus paragallinarum B01 − Hafnia alvei B01 − Hafnia alvei B02 − Helicobacter pylori B02 − Klebsiella ornithinolytica B01 − Klebsiella oxytoca B02 − Klebsiella oxytoca B06 − Klebsiella oxytoca B09 − Klebsiella planticola B01 − Klebsiella planticola B02 − Klebsiella pneumoniae B08 − Klebsiella terrigena B01 − Kocuria kristinae B01 − Kurthia zopfii B01 − Kurthia zopfii B02 − Lactobacillus acidophilus B01 − Lactobacillus casei B01 − Lactobacillus casei B03 − Lactobacillus delbreuckii B01 − Lactobacillus delbreuckii B03 − Lactobacillus helveticus B01 − Lactobacillus pentosus B01 − Lactobacillus plantarum B01 − Lactobacillus plantarum B03 − Lactobacillus rhamnosus B02 − Lactococcus raffinolactis B01 − Lactococcus lactis B02 − Lactococcus lactis B09 − Listeria grayi B01 − Listeria innocua B02 − Listeria innocua B07 − Listeria innocua B10 − Listeria ivanovii B01 − Listeria ivanovii B02 − Listeria monocytogenes B14 − Listeria monocytogenes B27 − Listeria seeligeri B01 − Listeria welshimeri B01 − Micrococcus luteus B04 − Moraxella B01 − Mycobacterium smegmatis B01 − Neisseria gonorrhoeae B01 − Neisseria lactamica B01 − Neisseria meningitidis B01 − Neisseria meningitidis B02 − Neisseria sica B02 − Nocardia asteroides B01 − Pediococcus acidilactici B01 − Pediococcus acidilactici B02 − Pediococcus pentosaceus B01 − Proteus mirabilis B05 − Proteus mirabilis B10 − Proteus penneri B01 − Proteus penneri B02 − Proteus vulgaris B02 − Proteus vulgaris B04 − Pseudomonas aeruginosa B12 − Pseudomonas aeruginosa B17 − Pseudomonas mendocina B01 − Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes B01 − Pseudomonas putida B04 − Pseudomonas putida B05 − Pseudomonas stutzeri B02 − Salmonella agona B01 − Salmonella arizonae B01 − Salmonella arizonae B04 − Salmonella bongori B01 − Salmonella brandenburg B01 − Salmonella choleraesuis B02 − Salmonella choleraesuis B04 − Salmonella diarizonae B01 − Salmonella dublin B02 − Salmonella dublin B05 − Salmonella enteritidis B03 − Salmonella enteritidis B09 − Salmonella heidelberg B01 − Salmonella heidelberg B02 − Salmonella houtenae B01 − Salmonella indica B01 − Salmonella infantis B01 − Salmonella infantis B02 − Salmonella montevideo B01 − Salmonella montevideo B02 − Salmonella newport B02 − Salmonella newport B04 − Salmonella paratyphi B03 − Salmonella paratyphi B06 − Salmonella paratyphi B11 − Salmonella paratyphi B13 − Salmonella saintpaul B04 − Salmonella saintpaul B05 − Salmonella senftenberg B01 − Salmonella stanley B01 − Salmonella thompson B01 − Salmonella thompson B02 − Salmonella typhi B03 − Salmonella typhi B04 − Salmonella typhimurium B04 − Salmonella typhimurium B05 − Salmonella typhisuis B01 − Salmonella typhisuis B02 − Serratia liquefaciens B01 − Serratia liquefaciens B02 − Serratia marcescens B04 − Serratia marcescens B07 − Serratia odorifera B01 − Shigella boydii B01 − Shigella dysenteriae B01 − Shigella dysenteriae B02 − Shigella flexneri B11 − Shigella flexneri B15 − Shigella sonnei B01 − Shigella sonnei B04 − Staphylococcus aureus B06 − Staphylococcus aureus B09 − Staphylococcus chromogenes B01 − Staphylococcus epidermidis B03 − Staphylococcus epidermidis B04 − Staphylococcus intermedius B01 − Staphylococcus lentis B01 − Staphylococcus ludgdunensis B01 − Staphylococcus schieiferi B01 − Staphylococcus xylosus B01 − Stenotrophomonas maltophilia B02 − Streptococcus agalactiae B01 − Streptococcus agalactiae B02 − Streptococcus bovis B01 − Streptococcus pneumoniae B01 − Streptococcus pneumoniae B02 − Streptococcus pyogenes B02 − Streptococcus pyogenes B03 − Streptococcus suis B01 − Streptococcus thermophilus B02 − Vibrio alginolyticus B01 − Vibrio cholerae B07 − Vibrio cholerae B11 − Vibrio cholerae B31 − Vibrio fluvialis B01 − Vibrio hollisae B01 − Vibrio vulnificus B01 − Xanthomonas campestris B01 − Yersinia enterocolitica B03 − Yersinia enterocolitica B12 − Yersinia frederiksenii B01 − Yersinia kritensenii B01 −

Example 8 Determination of a Unique, Conserved DNA Region in E. coli O157:H7,end Gene Sequences (#2)

The gnd gene coding regions from 17 different E. coli isolates were sequenced and aligned using the multiple alignment program Clustal W™. The resulting alignment was used to identify short DNA regions that were conserved within the E. coli O157: H7 group, yet which are excluded from other bacteria. FIG. 4 depicts a sample of such an alignment in which a portion of the gnd gene of 17 different E. coli strains have been aligned.

A 208 nucleotide conserved sequence (conserved sequence #2) was identified as described above (SEQ ID NO:29). This unique and conserved element of E. coli O157: H7 gnd-gene sequences was used to design highly specific primers for the PCR amplification of the conserved region of the gnd gene.

Example 9 Generation of PCR Primers for Amplification of the end Conserved Sequence #2

Within the conserved 208 nucleotide sequence identified as described in Example 8, regions that could serve as primer target sequences were identified. These primer target sequences were used to design primers to allow efficient PCR amplification. The primer sequences are shown below:

Forward primer #3: 5′- GCCTCGTCGCATCT -3′ [SEQ ID NO: 31] Reverse primer #3: 5′- TAGTGCGCCCTCCT -3′ [SEQ ID NO: 32] Forward primer #4: 5′- GGAAACGCCTCGTCGCATCT -3′ [SEQ ID NO: 37] Reverse primer #4: 5′- TAGTGCGCCCTCCTCACCA -3′ [SEQ ID NO: 38

In the alignment presented in FIG. 4, the positions of forward primer #3 and the reverse primer #3 are represented by shaded boxes. Forward primer #3 starts at position 171 and ends at position 184 of the alignment. Reverse primer #3 represents the reverse complement of the region starting at position 365 and ending at position 378.

Example 10 Generation of Molecular Beacon Probes Specific for the E. coli O157:H₇Conserved Sequence #2

In order to design molecular beacon probes specific for E. coli O157:H7, a region within the conserved sequence described above was identified which not only was highly conserved in all E. coliO157:H7 isolates but was also exclusive to E. coli O157:H7 isolates. This sequence consisted of a 28 nucleotide region that would be suitable for use as a molecular beacon target sequence. The sequence is provided below:

5′- CAGGCACGGATGCTGCTATTGATTCCCT -3′ [SEQ ID NO: 30]

The complement of this sequence [SEQ ID NO:36] is also suitable for use as a molecular beacon target sequence.

A molecular beacon probe having the sequence shown below was synthesized by Integrated DNA Technologies Inc.

Molecular Beacon Probe #2:

[SEQ ID NO: 33] 5′- ccCAGGCACGGATGCTGCTATTGATTCCCTggg -3′

The complement of this sequence (SEQ ID NO:35, shown below) can also be used as a molecular beacon probe for detecting E. coli O157:H7.

[SEQ ID NO: 35] 5′- cccAGGGAATCAATAGCAGCATCCGTGCCTGgg-3′

The starting material for the synthesis of the molecular beacons was an oligonucleotide that contains a sulfhydryl group at its 5′ end and a primary amino group at its 3′ end. DABCYL was coupled to the primary amino group utilizing an amine-reactive derivative of DABCYL. The oligonucleotides that were coupled to DABCYL were then purified. The protective trityl moiety was then removed from the 5′-sulfhydryl group and a fluorophore was introduced in its place using an iodoacetamide derivative.

An individual skilled in the art would recognize that a variety of methodologies could be used for synthesis of the molecular beacons. For example, a controlled-pore glass column that introduces a DABCYL moiety at the 3′ end of an oligonucleotide has recently become available, which enables the synthesis of a molecular beacon completely on a DNA synthesizer.

Table 8 provides a general overview of the characteristics of molecular beacon probe #2. The beacon sequence shown in Table 8 indicates the stem region in lower case and the loop region in upper case.

TABLE 8 Description of gnd molecular beacon probe #2 Beacon sequence (5′→ 3′): ccCAGGCACGGATGCTGCTATTGATTCCCTggg Fluorophore (5′): FAM Quencher (3′): DABCYL

Table 9 provides an overview of the thermodynamics of the folding of molecular beacon probe #2. Calculations were made using MFOLD™ software, or the Oligo Analyzer software package available on Integrated DNA Technologies Inc. web site. FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of PCR primers and the molecular beacon probe in the gnd consensus sequence #2. Numbers in parentheses indicate the positions of the first and last nucleotides of each feature on the PCR product generated with the forward primer #3 and reverse primer #3.

TABLE 9 Thermodynamics of molecular beacon probe #2. Tm loop (thermodynamics algorithm) 69.8° C. Tm stem (mFOLD calculation) 60.5° C. ΔG₃₇ (mFOLD calculation) −3.0 kCal/mol ΔH (mFOLD calculation) −42.8 kCal/mol

A further gnd specific molecular beacon suitable for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 was also prepared as described above. The sequence is shown below (nucleotides in lower case represent the nucleotides that make up the stem of the beacon):

Molecular Beacon Probe #3:

5′- cgtCCTTAAGCCATACCTCGATAAggacg-3′ [SEQ ID NO: 39]

The complement of this sequence (SEQ ID NO:41, see below) can also be used as a molecular beacon probe for the detection of E. coli O157:H7.

5′- cgtccTTATCGAGGTATGGCTTAAGGacg-3′ [SEQ ID NO: 41]

Example 11 Positive Validation of Primer Pair #3 and Molecular Beacon Probe #2

The effectiveness of forward primer #3, reverse primer #3 and molecular beacon probe #2 for amplifying and detecting E. coli isolates was demonstrated as described generally below.

Genomic DNA from the species and strains presented in Table 11 below was isolated as described in Example 4. Amplification was conducted as described in Example 5 with the exception that forward primer #3 and reverse primer #3 and the following PCR mix were used.

TABLE 10 PCR mix used for validation. Final concentration in Reagent reconstituted reaction Qiagen PCR buffer, 10X 1.5X Forward primer #3, 25 μM 0.5 μM Reverse primer #3, 25 μM 0.5 μM dNTPs, 10 mM 0.2 mM MgCl₂, 25 mM 1.75 mM Molecular beacon #2, 10 μM 0.3 μM HotStarTaq, 5 U/μL 1 U/25 μL reaction

Results are presented in Table 11 and indicate that of the 27 strains of E. coli O157:H7 tested, 27 gave a positive signal (i.e. sensitivity of 100%).

TABLE 11 Positive validation of gnd molecular beacon #3 and primers. Genus Species ID Serovar Result Escherichia coli B71 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B73 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B74 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B75 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B76 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B81 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B82 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B83 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B84 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B85 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B86 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B87 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B88 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B89 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B90 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B91 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B92 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B93 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B94 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B95 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B96 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B97 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B163 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B164 O157:Hnm (VT+) + Escherichia coli B245 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B246 O157:H7 + Escherichia coli B247 O157:H7 +

Example 12 Negative Validation of the Primer Pair #3 and Molecular Beacon #3

In order to test the ability of forward primer #3, reverse primer #3 and molecular beacon #3 to preferentially amplify and detect only E. coli O157:H7, a number of bacteria other than E. coli O157:H7 were tested.

Samples of genomic DNA from the bacteria presented in Table 12 below were isolated and amplified as described in the preceding Example. When no probe was included in the amplification reaction, any amplicons produced were detected using SYBR® Green (see table 14 for the amplification mixture). Two amplification products were observed (i.e. specificity of 99%). One of these false positive is not detected when the molecular beacon probe #3 is added in the amplification reaction.

The Forward primer #4 and the reverse primer #4 were also tested to detect, using SYBR® Green, amplicons of a panel of 202 E. coli strains with different serotypes. Only specificity of 44% is achieved with the forward primer #4 and the reverse primer #4.

Also included in additional rounds of tests was molecular beacon #3. A panel of 202 E. coli strains was tested and only one E. coli O1:H32 was detected as positive. (i.e. specificity of 99.5%).

In Table 12, None of the tested strains provided a positive result. These results suggest that both the amplification primers and the molecular beacon #3 are highly specific for E. coli.

TABLE 12 Negative Validation of the gnd Primers and Molecular Beacon #3 Genus Species ID Serovar Results Escherichia coli B01 − Escherichia coli B12 − Escherichia coli B13 O18AC:NM − Escherichia coli B14 O1:NM − Escherichia coli B15 O75:H5 − Escherichia coli B16 O62:H32 − Escherichia coli B17 O71:H12 − Escherichia coli B18 O55:NM − Escherichia coli B19 O50:H4 − Escherichia coli B20 O44:H18 − Escherichia coli B21 O45:H23 − Escherichia coli B23 O28:NM − Escherichia coli B24 O34:NM − Escherichia coli B25 O26:NM − Escherichia coli B26 O24:NM − Escherichia coli B27 O78:H11 − Escherichia coli B28 O8:H9 − Escherichia coli B29 O114:H32 − Escherichia coli B30 O3:H44 − Escherichia coli B31 O4:H5 − Escherichia coli B32 O5:H4 − Escherichia coli B33 O23:H15 − Escherichia coli B34 O7:NM − Escherichia coli B35 O18:H14 − Escherichia coli B36 O9:H12 − Escherichia coli B37 O10:NM − Escherichia coli B38 O12:NM − Escherichia coli B39 O13:NM − Escherichia coli B40 O14:NM − Escherichia coli B41 O78:NM − Escherichia coli B42 O6:H49 − Escherichia coli B43 O127:NM − Escherichia coli B44 − Escherichia coli B45 − Escherichia coli B46 O1:H7 − Escherichia coli B47 O157:H19 − Escherichia coli B48 O86:NM − Escherichia coli B49 O86:NM − Escherichia coli B50 O40:H(NT) − Escherichia coli B51 O18:H14 − Escherichia coli B52 O136:NM − Escherichia coli B53 O77:NM − Escherichia coli B54 O113:H21 − Escherichia coli B55 O80:H26 − Escherichia coli B56 O102:H40 − Escherichia coli B57 O86:NM − Escherichia coli B58 − Escherichia coli B59 O112:H18 − Escherichia coli B60 O128AC:NM − Escherichia coli B61 O112AC:NM − Escherichia coli B62 O128AB:H2 − Escherichia coli B63 O117:H4 − Escherichia coli B64 O119:H18 − Escherichia coli B65 O124:H25 − Escherichia coli B66 O125AB:H19 − Escherichia coli B67 O126:H2 − Escherichia coli B68 O128A8:H8 − Escherichia coli B69 B − Escherichia coli B77 O6:H1 − Escherichia coli B78 − Escherichia coli B79 − Escherichia coli B80 − Escherichia coli B98 O157:H43 − Escherichia coli B99 O157:H43 − Escherichia coli B100 O157:H43 − Escherichia coli B101 O157:Hnm (VT−) − Escherichia coli B102 O157:Hnm (VT−) − Escherichia coli B103 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B104 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B105 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B106 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B107 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B108 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B109 O55:NM − Escherichia coli B110 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B111 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B112 O55:H6 − Escherichia coli B113 O55:H5 − Escherichia coli B114 O55:H7 − Escherichia coli B115 O55:H7 − Escherichia coli B116 O55:H7 − Escherichia coli B117 O55:H7 − Escherichia coli B118 O111:H21 − Escherichia coli B120 O111:H12 − Escherichia coli B121 O111:H12 − Escherichia coli B122 O111:NM − Escherichia coli B123 O111A:HNM − Escherichia coli B124 O111:H8 − Escherichia coli B125 O111:HNM − Escherichia coli B126 O111:H11 − Escherichia coli B127 O111:H8 − Escherichia coli B128 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B130 O111:H12 − Escherichia coli B131 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B132 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B133 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B134 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B135 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B136 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B137 O26:H11 − Escherichia coli B138 O128A:H2 − Escherichia coli B139 O128A:H2 − Escherichia coli B140 O45:H2 − Escherichia coli B141 O128:H2 − Escherichia coli B142 O128:H2 − Escherichia coli B143 O111:H2 − Escherichia coli B144 O111:H2 − Escherichia coli B145 O111:NM − Escherichia coli B146 O111:H2 − Escherichia coli B147 O111:HN − Escherichia coli B148 O128:H7 − Escherichia coli B149 O128:H7 − Escherichia coli B150 O128:H7 − Escherichia coli B151 O128:H7 − Escherichia coli B152 O128:H47 − Escherichia coli B153 O128:H21 − Escherichia coli B154 O128:H21 − Escherichia coli B155 O128A:H21 − Escherichia coli B156 O128:HNM − Escherichia coli B157 O128:H21 − Escherichia coli B158 O111:H21 − Escherichia coli B159 O111:H21 − Escherichia coli B160 O111:H21 − Escherichia coli B161 O111:H21 − Escherichia coli B162 O111:H21 − Escherichia coli B165 O15:NM − Escherichia coli B166 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B167 ON:H32 − Escherichia coli B168 O1:H32 + Escherichia coli B169 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B170 O79:NM − Escherichia coli B171 ON:NM − Escherichia coli B172 O85:HN − Escherichia coli B174 ON:NM − Escherichia coli B175 O6:H10 − Escherichia coli B176 O6:H10 − Escherichia coli B178 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B179 OM:HN − Escherichia coli B180 O25:NM − Escherichia coli B181 ON:H10 − Escherichia coli B182 O106:NM − Escherichia coli B183 O5:NM − Escherichia coli B184 O5:HN − Escherichia coli B185 O89:HN − Escherichia coli B186 O121:HN − Escherichia coli B187 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B188 O86:H43 − Escherichia coli B189 O15:NM − Escherichia coli B190 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B191 O104:H21 − Escherichia coli B192 O104:NM − Escherichia coli B193 O104:NM − Escherichia coli B194 O150:H21 − Escherichia coli B195 O113:H21 − Escherichia coli B196 O79:H43 − Escherichia coli B197 O7:H21 − Escherichia coli B198 O7:H21 − Escherichia coli B199 O88:NM − Escherichia coli B200 O1:NM − Escherichia coli B201 O79:H25 − Escherichia coli B202 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B203 O7:NM − Escherichia coli B204 O7:NM − Escherichia coli B205 O7:NM − Escherichia coli B206 O7:NM − Escherichia coli B207 ON:H26 − Escherichia coli B208 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B209 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B210 ON:HN − Escherichia coli B211 O1:H6 − Escherichia coli B212 OM:H18 − Escherichia coli B213 ON:HM − Escherichia coli B214 O2:NM − Escherichia coli B215 O2:HN − Escherichia coli B216 O25:HN − Escherichia coli B217 O25:H1 − Escherichia coli B218 O4:HN − Escherichia coli B219 O25:H1 − Escherichia coli B220 O25:H2 − Escherichia coli B221 O6:H1 − Escherichia coli B222 ON:NM − Escherichia coli B223 O112:H8 − Escherichia coli B224 O4:H40 − Escherichia coli B225 O4:HN − Escherichia coli B226 O2:NM − Escherichia coli B227 O2:NM − Escherichia coli B228 O2:NM − Escherichia coli B229 O75:NM − Escherichia coli B230 ON:H10 − Escherichia coli B231 O4:H40 − Escherichia coli B232 O4:H43 − Escherichia coli B233 ON:NM − Escherichia coli B234 ON:NM − Escherichia coli B235 O78:NM − Escherichia coli B236 O78:NM − Escherichia coli B237 O144:H8 − Escherichia coli B239 O10:K5(1):H4 − Escherichia coli B240 O119:K69(b14) − Escherichia coli B241 O3:K2a,bb(1):H2 − Escherichia coli B242 O127:K63(b8) − Escherichia coli B243 O112a,112c:K66(b11):nm − Escherichia coli B244 −

Example 13 Quantification of gnd Target Sequences in a Test Sample

In order to quantify the amount of target sequence in a sample, DNA was isolated and amplified as described in the preceding Examples (4, 5 and 11). DNA was quantified using a standard curve constructed from serial dilutions of a target DNA solution of known concentration.

Example 14 Comparison of Primers and Molecular Beacon Probes of 2 Conserved Sequences

When a molecular beacon was not included in the reaction, amplicons were detected with SYBR® Green. An example of a suitable reaction mix for use with SYBR® Green is provided in Table 14 (dNTPs and Taq polymerase are included in the Qiagen SyBrGreen Mix).

TABLE 14 SyBrGreen Reaction Mix Final concentration in Reagent reconstituted reaction Qiagen SyBrGreen, 2X 1.0X Forward primer #1, 25 μM 0.5 μM Reverse primer #1, 25 μM 0.5 μM MgCl₂, 5 mM  1.5 mM Fluorescein 1 μM 0.01 μM  14.1 Specificity and Sensitivity of Primers

The sensitivity of the primer pair forward primer #1/reverse primer #1 was tested against a panel of 202 E. coli strains using the SYBR® Green Reaction Mix shown above. The primer pair amplified 100% of the panel of E. coli O157:H7 strains. The primer pair forward primer #2/reverse primer #2 also amplify all E. coli O157:H7 strains but gave higher false positive rate (8%)

From the panel of bacterial species other than E. coli O157:H7, the forward primer #1/reverse primer #1 pair amplified sequences from 4 strains of E. coli non O157:H7 i.e. 98% specificity.

A summary of the sensitivity and specificity of the forward primer #1/reverse primer #1 pair is shown in Table 15.

TABLE 15 Summary for forward primer #1 and reverse primer #1 Sensitivity 100.0% Specificity 98.0% False positives 2.0% False negatives 0.0% Efficiency of primer pair 98.3%

The sensitivity of the primer pair forward primer #3/reverse primer #3 was tested against a panel of 27 E. coli O157:H7 strains using the SYBR® Green Reaction Mix shown above. The primer pair amplified 100% of the panel of E. coli O157:H7 strains.

From the panel of 202 bacterial species other than E. coli O157:H7, the forward primer #3/reverse primer #3 pair amplified sequences from 2 strains of E. coli non O157:H7 i.e. 99% specificity.

A summary of the sensitivity and specificity of the forward primer #3/reverse primer #3 pair is shown in Table 16.

TABLE 16 Summary for forward primer #3 and reverse primer #3 Sensitivity 100.0% Specificity 99.0% False positives 1.0% False negatives 0.0% Efficiency of primer pair 99.1%

The sensitivity of the primer pair forward primer #4/reverse primer #4 was tested against a panel of 27 E. coli O157:H7 strains using the SYBR® Green Reaction Mix shown above. The primer pair amplified 100% of the panel of E. coli O157:H7 strains.

From the panel of 202 bacterial species other than E. coli O157:H7, the forward primer #4/reverse primer #4 pair amplified sequences from 113 strains of E. coli non O157:H7 i.e. 44% specificity.

A summary of the sensitivity and specificity of the forward primer #4/reverse primer #4 pair is shown in Table 17.

TABLE 17 Summary for forward primer #4 and reverse primer #4 Sensitivity 100.0% Specificity  44.0% False positives 55.90% False negatives  0.0% Efficiency of primer pair  44.1% 14.2 Primer Annealing Temperatures

Annealing temperatures were determined using 500 nM of primers as indicated in table 14 and using a temperature gradient of 45° C. to 65° C. (45° C., 46.4° C., 48.8° C., 52.3° C., 57.5° C., 61.1° C., 63.6° C. and 65° C.). DNA from E. coli O157:H7 strain.

-   forward primer #1 and reverse primer #1 annealed to their target     sequence up to 56.4° C. -   forward primer #2 and reverse primer #2 annealed to their target     sequence up to 65.1° C. -   forward primer #3 and reverse primer #3 annealed to their target     sequence up to 58.9° C. -   forward primer #4 and reverse primer #4 annealed to their target     sequence up to 67.5° C.     14.3 Molecular Beacon Efficiencies

Efficiencies were tested for molecular beacon #1, 2 and 3. Efficiencies were tested using saturated pure E. coli O157:H7 culture and plating this culture on the appropriate medium to determine the number of colony forming unit (CFU) in the PCR reaction.

For molecular beacon #1: Efficiency 101.5%, detection up to 1.6 CFU/PCR reaction.

For molecular beacon #2: Efficiency 86.3%, detection up to 10 CFU/PCR reaction.

For molecular beacon #3: Efficiency 125.2%, detection up to 10 CFU/PCR reaction.

14.4 Specificity and Sensitivity of Molecular Beacon Probes

A summary of the sensitivity and specificity of molecular beacon #1 and 3 is shown in Table 18 and 19.

TABLE 18 Summary for molecular beacon #1 Sensitivity 100.0% Specificity 99.8% False positives 0.2% False negatives 0.0% Efficiency of beacon 99.8%

TABLE 19 Summary for molecular beacon #3 Sensitivity 100.0% Specificity 99.5% False positives 0.5% False negatives 0.0% Efficiency of beacon 99.6%

The molecular beacon #1 and 3 detected 100% of the panel of E. coli O157:H7 strains.

The molecular beacon #1 and 3 both detected one false positive strain of E. coli O1:H32.

Example 15 Enrichment Procedure for Test Samples

Samples to be tested can be enriched prior to use in the assay using standard enrichment procedures. The following is representative protocol for food samples.

-   1) Place 25 g or 25 ml of the sample in a stomacher filter bag with     225 mL of Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) to make a 1:10 dilution. -   2) Homogenize the contents of the bag for 10 sec using a Stomacher     instrument (BagMixer). -   3) Incubate the stomacher bag at 35° C. for 18-24 hours in a storage     rack with a closure clip attached to bag. -   4) After incubation, shake to stomacher bag to homogenise the     content. -   5) Transfer 1 mL of the cell suspension in the bag (taking care not     to take samples from the side of the stomacher bag that contains     food particles) to a 2 mL sterile tube and proceed with DNA     extraction (for example, following the protocol in Example 4). -   8) Transfer 1 ml of the cell suspension into a sterile tube and     proceed with DNA extraction (for example, following the protocol in     Example 4).

The disclosure of all patents, publications, including published patent applications, and database entries referenced in this specification are specifically incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each such individual patent, publication, and database entry were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto. 

1. An isolated polynucleotide of 50 nucleotides or less in length comprising the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20 or the complement thereof for use in combination with a pair of primers capable of specifically amplifying a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19 to detect E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin.
 2. The isolated polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is 40 nucleotides or less in length.
 3. The isolated polynucleotide according to claim 1, for use as a probe.
 4. The isolated polynucleotide according to claim 3, wherein said probe is a molecular beacon probe.
 5. The isolated polynucleotide according to claim 4, wherein said molecular beacon probe further comprises a fluorophore, a quencher, or a combination thereof.
 6. The isolated polynucleotide according to claim 4, wherein the polynucleotide consists of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23 or
 25. 7. The isolated polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide comprises the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23 or
 25. 8. The isolated polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the pair of primers comprises a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19 and a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:
 19. 9. The isolated polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the pair of primers comprises a first polynucleotide primer comprising the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 or 27 and a second polynucleotide primer comprising a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO: 22 or
 28. 10. The isolated polynucleotide according to claim 1, wherein the pair of primers comprises a first polynucleotide primer comprising the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 and a second polynucleotide primer comprising a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:
 22. 11. A combination of polynucleotides for amplification and detection of nucleic acid sequences from E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157: NM which produces verotoxin, said combination comprising: the isolated polynucleotide according to claim 1; a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-11; a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-11; wherein said first and second polynucleotide primers are capable of amplifying a portion of the gnd gene to which said isolated polynucleotide binds.
 12. The combination of polynucleotides according to claim 11, wherein the first polynucleotide primer comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43 and the second polynucleotide primer comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:
 43. 13. The combination of polynucleotides according to claim 11, wherein the first polynucleotide primer comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19 and the second polynucleotide primer comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:
 19. 14. The combination of polynucleotides according to claim 11, wherein the first polynucleotide primer comprises a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 or 27 and the second polynucleotide primer comprises a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22 or
 28. 15. The combination of polynucleotides according to claim 11, wherein the first polynucleotide primer comprises a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 and the second polynucleotide primer comprises a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 22. 16. The combination of polynucleotides according to claim 11, wherein said isolated polynucleotide is a molecular beacon probe.
 17. The combination of polynucleotides according to claim 16, wherein the isolated polynucleotide is 40 nucleotides or less in length.
 18. The combination of polynucleotides according to claim 11, wherein said isolated polynucleotide further comprises a fluorophore, a quencher, or a combination thereof.
 19. The combination of polynucleotides according to claim 1, wherein the isolated polynucleotide is 40 nucleotides or less in length.
 20. The combination of polynucleotides according to claim 1 or 19, wherein the isolated polynucleotide comprises the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20 or the complement thereof.
 21. The combination of polynucleotides according to claim 1, wherein the isolated polynucleotide comprises the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23 or
 25. 22. The combination of polynucleotides according to claim 1, wherein the isolated polynucleotide consists of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23 or
 25. 23. A method of detecting E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin in a sample, said method comprising the steps of: (i) contacting a sample suspected of containing, or known to contain, E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin with a combination of polynucleotide primers capable of amplifying a E. coli target sequence within the gnd gene, under conditions that permit amplification of the target nucleotide sequence, said polynucleotide primers comprising: (a) a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-11; (b) a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-11; and (ii) detecting amplified target nucleotide sequence by contacting said amplified target nucleotide sequence with the isolated polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein said first and second primers are capable of amplifying a portion of the gnd gene to which said isolated polynucleotide binds, and wherein detection of amplified target nucleotide sequence indicates the presence of E. coli O157:H7 and/or E. coli O157:NM which produces verotoxin in the sample.
 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the first polynucleotide primer comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43 and the second polynucleotide primer comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:
 43. 25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the first polynucleotide primer comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19 and the second polynucleotide primer comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:
 19. 26. The method according to claim 23, wherein the first polynucleotide primer comprises the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 or 27 and the second polynucleotide primer comprises a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO: 22 or
 28. 27. The method according to claim 23, wherein the first polynucleotide primer comprises the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 and the second polynucleotide primer comprises a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:
 22. 28. The method according to claim 23, wherein said isolated polynucleotide is a molecular beacon probe.
 29. The method according to claim 23, wherein said isolated polynucleotide further comprises a fluorophore, a quencher, or a combination thereof.
 30. The method according to claim 23, wherein steps (i) and (ii) are conducted simultaneously.
 31. The method according to claim 23, further comprising a step to enrich the microbial content of the sample prior to step (i).
 32. The method according to claim 23, wherein the isolated polynucleotide is 40 nucleotides or less in length.
 33. The method according to claim 23, wherein the isolated polynucleotide comprises the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23 or
 25. 34. The method according to claim 23, wherein the isolated polynucleotide consists of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23 or
 25. 35. A kit for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 and/or verotoxin producing E. coli O157:NM in a sample, said kit comprising: the isolated polynucleotide of claim 1; a first polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-11; a second polynucleotide primer comprising at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-11.
 36. The kit according to claim 35, wherein the first polynucleotide primer comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43 and the second polynucleotide primer comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:
 43. 37. The kit according to claim 35, wherein the first polynucleotide primer comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19 and the second polynucleotide primer comprises at least 7 consecutive nucleotides of a sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:
 19. 38. The kit according to claim 35, wherein said first polynucleotide primer comprises a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 or 27 and the second polynucleotide primer comprises a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22 or
 28. 39. The kit according to claim 35, wherein the first polynucleotide primer comprises a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 and the second polynucleotide primer comprises a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 22. 40. The kit according to claim 35, wherein said isolated polynucleotide is a molecular beacon probe.
 41. The kit according to claim 40, wherein the isolated polynucleotide is 40 nucleotides or less in length.
 42. The kit according to claim 35, wherein said isolated polynucleotide further comprises a fluorophore, a quencher, or a combination thereof.
 43. The kit according to claim 35, further comprising one or more amplification reagents selected from the group of: buffers, salts, enzymes, enzyme co-factors and nucleotides.
 44. The kit according to claim 35, wherein the isolated polynucleotide is 40 nucleotides or less in length.
 45. The kit according to claim 35, wherein the isolated polynucleotide comprises the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20 or the complement thereof.
 46. The kit according to claim 35, wherein the isolated polynucleotide comprises the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23 or
 25. 47. The kit according to claim 35, wherein the isolated polynucleotide consists of the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23 or
 25. 